Electroencephalographic data analysis system, information processing terminal, electronic device, and method of presenting information for dementia examination

ABSTRACT

An electronic device to acquire and analyze electroencephalogram data of the subject includes a cognitive function examination control section that presents examination data used for a cognitive function examination of the subject at the time of executing an operation having a different purpose from that of an electroencephalogram measurement, and a cognitive function analysis section that extracts an index of a cognitive function of the subject from electroencephalogram data of the subject measured when presenting examination data.

This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a) of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/608,703, filed on Oct. 25, 2019, which inturn is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2017/016991 filed on Apr. 28, 2017, the entirecontents is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and moreparticularly to an electronic device capable of examining a cognitivefunction using an electroencephalogram technique.

BACKGROUND ART

As a relatively inexpensive brain measurement technique for a dementiaexamination, there is a near-infrared spectroscopy technique disclosedin Patent Literature 1. Patent Literature 1 discloses that “thetechnique includes a data acquisition section that acquires biologicalsignal data in a predetermined brain region of a subject measured whengiving a task to activate the brain, a feature extraction section thatextracts a feature of the biological signal data acquired by the dataacquisition section, and a determination section that determines thedegree of cognitive impairment of the subject based on the featureextracted by the feature extraction section and data used fordetermination of the cognitive impairment, which has been obtained inadvance”.

Moreover, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Literature 2 as anexample of an electroencephalographic identification method adjustmentdevice and method using P300. Patent Literature 2 discloses that “adevice used for adjusting an identification method of anelectroencephalogram interface section includes database that defines acorrelation of a P3 component of an event-related potential obtained bystimulus to a modality other than visual and a P3 component of a visualevent-related potential, a stimulus presentation section that presentsthe stimulus through the output section, an analysis section thatanalyzes the event-related potential contained in anelectroencephalogram signal after the stimulus presentation, and anidentification method adjustment section that derives the feature of theuser related to the P3 component of the visual event-related potentialbased on the analyzed P3 component of the event-related potential andthe database, and adjusts an electroencephalogram identification methodin the electroencephalogram interface section based on the feature”.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PATENT LITERATURE 1: U.S. Pat. No. 9,131,889-   PATENT LITERATURE 2: JP-A No. 2009-268826

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the examination according to Patent Literature 1, there is a need towear a near-infrared spectroscopic analysis device on the subject. Inthe examination according to Patent Literature 2, the subject is awarethat the subject undergoes a cognitive function examination. Therefore,when performing the examination according to Patent Literatures 1 and 2,there is a concern that a psychological pressure is imposed on thesubject to undergo the cognitive function examination.

The present invention has been made in view of the above actualcircumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide atechnique which collects data required for a cognitive functionexamination without imposing a psychological load on a subject.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention hasconfigurations defined in the claims. As an example, the presentinvention is directed to an electronic device that acquires and analyzeselectroencephalographic data of a subject, including a cognitivefunction examination control section that presents examination data usedfor a cognitive function examination of the subject at the time ofexecuting an operation having a purpose different from that of anelectroencephalographic measurement on the subject, and a cognitivefunction analysis section that extracts an index of a cognitive functionof the subject from the electroencephalographic data of the subjectmeasured when presenting the examination data.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a technique whichcollects data required for the cognitive function examination withoutimposing a psychological load on the subject. Problems, configurations,and effects other than those described above will be clarified in thefollowing description of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a cognitive function examinationdevice.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a cognitive functionexamination device smartphone.

FIG. 3A is a rear view showing a mounting example of the cognitivefunction examination device smartphone.

FIG. 3B is a side view showing the mounting example of the cognitivefunction examination device smartphone.

FIG. 3C is a front view showing the mounting example of the cognitivefunction examination device smartphone.

FIG. 4 is a graph of a basic waveform of an event-related potential.

FIG. 5A is a diagram of a watcher table configuration.

FIG. 5B is configuration diagram of a standard table.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrates an example of how to use the smartphoneat the time of incoming (incoming call).

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrates an example of how to use the smartphoneat the time of incoming (held state).

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrates an example of how to use the smartphoneat the time of incoming (visual stimulus).

FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrates an example of how to use the smartphoneat the time of incoming (auditory stimulus).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an initial setting test for creatingexamination data.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an examination data creation section.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an overall process of a cognitive functionexamination of the smartphone into which a dementia examination functionis implemented.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of examinationdata.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing one example of test data for an oddballtask (visual stimulus).

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing another example of the test data for theoddball task (auditory stimulus).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data configuration example ofelectroencephalographic data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of analysis data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a data configuration example (averageperiod) of a cognitive function analysis result.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a cognitive function analysis section.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a cognitive function analysisresult.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of a cognitive functionexamination device having a priority sensory analysis section.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the priority sensory analysis section.

FIG. 19A is a diagram shows an example of how to use alarm of thesmartphone (at the time of ringing or vibration).

FIG. 19B is a diagram showing an example of how to use the alarm of thesmartphone (held state).

FIG. 19C is a diagram showing an example of how to use the alarm of thesmartphone (visual stimulus).

FIG. 19D is a diagram showing an example of how to use the alarm of thesmartphone (OFF button display).

FIG. 20A is a rear view showing a mounting example of a cognitivefunction examination device smartphone case.

FIG. 20B is a side view showing a mounting example of the cognitivefunction examination device smartphone case.

FIG. 20C is a front view showing a mounting example of the cognitivefunction examination device smartphone case.

FIG. 20D is a front view showing a mounting example (at the time ofsmartphone mounting) of the cognitive function examination devicesmartphone case.

FIG. 21A is a diagram showing a mounting example in eyeglasses orsunglasses frame equipped with an electroencephalogram measurementfunction.

FIG. 21B is a front view of a cognitive function examination device(smartphone) that cooperates with the eyeglasses or sunglasses frame.

FIG. 21C is a front view of a cognitive function examination device(tablet PC) that cooperates with the eyeglasses or sunglasses frame.

FIG. 21D is a front view of a cognitive function examination device (TVset) that cooperates with the eyeglasses or sunglasses frame.

FIG. 22A is a diagram showing headphones equipped with anelectroencephalogram measurement function.

FIG. 22B is a diagram showing a cognitive function examination device(radio set) that cooperates with headphones equipped with anelectroencephalogram measurement function.

FIG. 23A is a front surface view showing a hearing aid equipped with anelectroencephalographic measurement function.

FIG. 23B is a rear surface view showing the hearing aid equipped withthe electroencephalographic measurement function.

FIG. 23C is a diagram showing a wearing state of the hearing aidequipped with the electroencephalographic measurement function.

FIG. 24A is a front surface view showing a mouse equipped with theelectroencephalographic measurement function.

FIG. 24B is a diagram showing a use state of the mouse equipped with theelectroencephalographic measurement function.

FIG. 25A is a rear view of a television remote controller equipped withthe electroencephalographic measurement function.

FIG. 25B is a diagram showing a use state of the television remotecontroller equipped with the electroencephalographic measurementfunction.

FIG. 26A is a front view showing a mounting example of a cognitivefunction examination device (robot).

FIG. 26B is a diagram showing a use state of the mounting example of thecognitive function examination device (robot).

FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram of a cognitive functionexamination system in which an electroencephalographic measurementfunction is implemented into a measurement device.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a service leveraging thecognitive function examination device and a cognitive functionexamination system.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Alzheimer's disease (hereinafter referred to as AD) accounts for abouthalf of dementia. A neurophysiological biomarker such as brain waves isexpected to be used as a biomarker for early diagnosis of the AD. Thebiomarker is a definition of the National Institutes of Health, “anobjectively measured and evaluated characteristic as an indicator ofnormal physiologic, pathological, or pharmacological response totherapeutic intervention”.

As compared with brain examination techniques such as fMRI (functionalMagnetic Resonance Imaging), a magnetic resonance function imagingmethod, and an MEG (Magneto Encephalo Graphy), in anelectroencephalographical technology, an measurement can be performedwith a relatively inexpensive device, and a potential of a head surfaceis merely measured so that a pressure and restraint on the body at thetime of measurement are reduced. As a result, theelectroencephalographical technology is expected to be applied to notonly a medical field, but also a wide range of fields such as consumer,healthcare, welfare, robots, and in-vehicle.

One of the biomarkers in the electroencephalogram is an event-relatedpotential. The event-related potential is an electrical activity of abrain that occurs temporally in relation to an external or internalevent. Potentials related to external events using visual and auditorystimuli are applied to an examination for the AD and a mild cognitiveimpairment. In particular, a time since a peak latency time stimulus ofP300 which is a peak of a third waveform of the event-related potentialin a positive direction is presented till P300 appears is leveraged as abiomarker at the time of examining the AD and the mild cognitiveimpairment. Also, an oddball task is used as a tool to induce the P300.The oddball task is a task in which a subject is presented with twotypes of stimulus at random, attention is given to stimulus with a lowfrequency of presentation, and a response such as pressing a button isperformed. In the oddball task, a low-frequency stimulus is called atarget stimulus (hereinafter referred to as “target”), and ahigh-frequency stimulus is called a standard stimulus (hereinafterreferred to as “standard”).

Hereinafter, according to an embodiment of the present invention, anelectroencephalographic data analysis system, an information processingterminal, and an electronic device will be described which present anoddball task as information for a dementia examination to a subject atthe time of performing an operation having a purpose different from thatof the electroencephalogram measurement, and analyze the brains wave ofthe subject at that time to extract a cognitive function index.

In the following description, a smartphone will be mainly described asan example of an electronic device. However, as will be described ineach embodiment to be described later, the information processingterminal and the electronic device are not limited to the smartphone.The present invention is similarly applicable to electronic devices suchas PCs, tablets, electronic books, home robots, televisions, audiodevices such as radios, and electronic devices such as wearable device.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment is an example in which a smartphone is used as anelectronic device (hardware) and a cognitive function examination deviceaccording to the present invention is implemented into the smartphone.

(Description of Functional Blocks of Cognitive Function ExaminationDevice)

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a cognitive function examinationdevice.

A cognitive function examination device 101 includes a cognitivefunction measurement and determination section 102, an operation section114, a display section 115, a communication section 116, a voice outputsection 117, a voice input section 118, and a timer 119.

The operation section 114 accepts an operation input from a user(corresponding to a subject) to the cognitive function examinationdevice 101 and outputs an operation signal.

The display section 115 performs a control to display an operationscreen and various information for the user.

The communication section 116 performs a control to communicate with anexternal device through various network telephone networks, WiFi,Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

The voice output section 117 and the voice input section 118 perform avoice output and input control through a speaker 225 and a microphone226 to be described later. The timer 119 generates time information andoutputs the time information to the cognitive function measurement anddetermination section 102.

The cognitive function measurement and determination section 102includes an oddball task data storage section 103, a callerdetermination section 104, an electroencephalogram measurement section105, an electroencephalographic data storage section 106, an examinationdata creation section 107, an examination data storage section 108, acognitive function examination control section 109, an analysis datastorage section 110, a cognitive function analysis section 111, ananalysis result storage section 112, and a cognitive function reductionnotification section 113.

The oddball task data storage section 103 stores data for the oddballtask. The oddball task data storage section 103 stores, for example,information related to a person (watcher) who watches the user to besubjected to the cognitive function examination, for example,information related to watcher's phone number, name, e-mail address,voice, pictures, and so on.

In the present embodiment, an example in which information related tothe watcher is mainly stored in the oddball task data storage section103 will be described.

When the caller determination section 104 receives a call or e-mailthrough the communication section 116, the caller determination section104 determines whether or not a phone partner is a watcher registered inthe oddball task data storage section 103.

The electroencephalogram measurement section 105 operates as anelectroencephalographic data acquisition section for acquiringelectroencephalographic data of the user (subject) to be subjected tothe cognitive function examination. The electroencephalogram measurementsection 105 includes an electroencephalogram detection sensor foracquiring the electroencephalographic data (in the present embodiment,an electroencephalogram measurement electrode 221 as will be describedlater).

The electroencephalographic data storage section 106 stores theelectroencephalographic data acquired by the electroencephalogrammeasurement section 105.

The examination data creation section 107 automatically creates data forthe cognitive function examination, with the use of the watcher's voiceand pictures stored in the oddball task data storage section 103, imagessuch as pictographs and ringtones which are stored in the smartphone inadvance, and the like.

The examination data storage section 108 stores the examination datacreated by the examination data creation section 107.

The cognitive function examination control section 109 detects that apotential is detected from the electroencephalogram measurementelectrode 221, which is an electroencephalogram detection sensor in theelectroencephalogram measurement section 105 to detect that theelectroencephalogram can be detected, starts an examination with the useof the examination data stored in the examination data storage section108, and stores the measured electroencephalogram in theelectroencephalographic data storage section 106. In addition, thecognitive function examination control section 109 executes control ofall parts configuring the cognitive function measurement anddetermination section 102. In this example, the electroencephalogrammeasurement electrode 221 is used as the electroencephalogram detectionsensor, but a magnetic sensor may be used.

The analysis data storage section 110 stores data for analyzing andevaluating the cognitive function.

The cognitive function analysis section 111 analyzes theelectroencephalographic data stored in the electroencephalographic datastorage section 106, and compares the analyzed electroencephalographicdata with data in the analysis data storage section 110, which iscalculated in advance, to thereby perform the cognitive functionanalysis.

The analysis result storage section 112 stores the analysis result ofthe cognitive function analysis section 111.

When the reduction of the cognitive function is detected and a sign ofdementia is detected in the cognitive function analysis section 111(corresponding to a case in which a predetermined notification criterionis satisfied), the cognitive function reduction notification section 113notifies a watcher registered in advance in the oddball task datastorage section 103 of this fact.

The watcher who is registered in the oddball task data storage section103 is directed to a watcher who casually watches the life and health ofa user elderly to be subjected to the cognitive function examination,and for example, a user's family or a care manager. If the watcher usesa smartphone to which the cognitive function examination device 101 isapplied, the watcher can watch a state of the cognitive function in adaily life of the elderly user even from a remote location.

The data to be registered in the oddball task data storage section 103may be a data phone number, a name, an address, an e-mail address, andso on of an existing address book of the smartphone, a picture, a dataphone number, a name, an e-mail address, and voice stored in an internalmemory or a SD card, or may be registered with the use of data newlysent from the watcher.

(Description of Hardware Configuration)

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a smartphone towhich the cognitive function examination device 101 described in FIG. 1is applied.

A smartphone 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211 thatcontrols the entire system of the smartphone 201, a ROM (Read OnlyMemory) 212 that stores a basic program such as an OS to be used in thesmartphone, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 213 that temporarily storesprograms and various pieces of data, and used as a cache and a workmemory, a storage device 214 that stores the programs for realizing thefunctions of the cognitive function examination device 101, variouspieces of data used in the respective functional blocks, and themeasurement result of electroencephalogram, a timer 215 (correspondingto the timer 119 in FIG. 1 ) used for acquiring a time atelectroencephalogram measurement, timer setting, and an external I/F 216connected to an external device. In this example, the storage device 214is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)or a flash memory. In this example, since the cognitive functionexamination device 101 according to the present embodiment is applied toa smartphone, it is preferable that the storage device 214 is configuredby a nonvolatile memory. In addition, when the cognitive functionexamination device 101 according to the present invention is applied toa PC, the storage device 214 is configured by an SSD (Solid State Drive)having an HDD or a flash memory.

Furthermore, the smartphone 201 includes an electroencephalogrammeasurement electrode 221 for measuring a potential of theelectroencephalogram, a signal processing device 222 that removes noisederived from the electroencephalogram measurement electrode 221 andamplifies a signal from which the noise has been removed, an ADC (analogto digital converter) 223 that converts an analog signal processed bythe signal processing device 222 into a digital signal, a display 224for operation and display (corresponding to the operation section 114and the display section 115 in FIG. 1 ) that includes a touch panel (notshown) for receiving or inputting user's operation and displays an imageand providing the image to the user, a speaker 225 (corresponding to thevoice output section 117 in FIG. 1 ) for reproducing a ring tone andvoice, a microphone 226 (corresponding to the voice input section 118 inFIG. 1 ) that receives voice, a wired or wireless communication module227 (corresponding to the communication section 116 in FIG. 1 ) forcommunicating with external devices, an acceleration sensor 228 thatdetects data related to tilt, movement, vibration and impact, ageomagnetic sensor 229 for measuring an azimuth, a GPS (GlobalPositioning System) 230 for acquiring position information of areceiver, a gyro sensor 231 that detects a change in rotation ororientation, a thermometer 232 for measuring a body temperature, asystem bus 233 that is a data communication path for transmitting andreceiving data between the CPU 211 and each component of the smartphone201, a battery 234 for supplying an electricity, and a call module 235.

The communication module 227 includes a wireless communication functionsuch as 3G and 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an infrared communication, abroadcast service communication and a wired communication function suchas a wired LAN.

In this example, among the respective functional blocks shown in FIG. 1, the electroencephalogram measurement electrode 221, the signalprocessing device 222, the ADC 223, the CPU 211, the ROM 212, the RAM213, and the storage device 214 are hardware 210 configuring thecognitive function measurement and determination section 102. Thehardware 210 and a program for realizing the cognitive functionmeasurement and determination function cooperate with each other toconfigure each functional block of the cognitive function measurementand determination section 102 shown in FIG. 1 .

(Example of Mounting Electroencephalogram Measurement Electrode onSmartphone)

Next, an example of mounting the electroencephalogram measurementelectrode 221 on the smartphone 201 will be described with reference toFIG. 3 .

In general, an electroencephalogram is derived from an electrode placedon a scalp and measured. In recent years, a technique for reading theelectroencephalogram from a skin surface of an arm or a hand, such as abody wave technology, has been developed. For that reason, an example inwhich the electroencephalogram measurement electrode 221 is mounted byleveraging the above technique is illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3A shows an example in which bipolar electroencephalogrammeasurement electrodes 302 and 303 are disposed on a back surface 301 ofthe smartphone 201. An induction method is bipolar induction, and anelectroencephalogram is measured by a potential difference derived fromtwo electrodes. The electrodes are placed in portions of the backsurface where a hand easily touches. In FIG. 3A, two electrodes aremounted, but two or more electrodes may be placed, and measurement maybe performed by automatically selecting two portions touched by thehand.

FIG. 3B is an example in which the electroencephalogram measurementelectrodes 306 and 307 are placed on a left-side surface 304 relative toa front surface of the smartphone and a right-side surface 305 relativeto the front surface, respectively.

As in FIG. 3A, the electrodes are disposed by bipolar induction. Whengripping the smartphone, the electroencephalogram is measured by apotential difference derived from two positions of a surface of thehand. Two or more electrodes may be placed, and with the potentialdetected by touching the electrodes with the hand, it may be detectedthat the hand has touched the electrodes, and two electrodes touched bythe hand may be automatically selected and measured.

In this example, both of the electrodes shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B may bemounted, or a combination of those electrodes may be used. For example,an electrode may be disposed at one place on the back surface and oneelectrode may be disposed at one place on a side surface, or anelectrode may be disposed at one place on the back surface and twoelectrodes may be disposed at two places on the side surface in a mixedmanner.

FIG. 3C shows a placement of electrodes when the electrodes capable ofdetecting a potential in a non-contact state are used. Electrodes 310and 311 are placed in the vicinity of a speaker 309 on a front surface308 of the smartphone. In recent years, non-contact electrodes for abody area network have been developed. For that reason, an example of anelectrode placement in the case of using the above technology is shown.When an incoming call is received, the potential can be derived bybringing the speaker 309 on the front surface 308 of the smartphonecloser to an ear. With the provision of the non-contact electrodes,there is no need to bring the electrodes in contact with a head. Theelectrodes 310 and 311 are each provided with an amplifier ADC and acommunication module, and the derived potential can be transmitted fromone electrode to the other electrode. With the above electrodes, thepotential can be derived even if there is an insulator between theelectrodes and the head.

In this example, all of the electrodes of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C may bemounted, or a configuration in which the electrodes shown in FIGS. 3A,3B, and 3C are mixed together may be used. For example, the combinationof FIG. 3C with FIG. 3B or FIG. 3C with FIG. 3A may be used.

(Description of Basic Waveform of Electroencephalogram and Event-RelatedPotential, and Features of P300).

Next, the electroencephalogram data acquired in the present embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 4 . Originally, theelectroencephalogram is obtained by recoding an electrical activity ofthe neuron of brains, and a change in the potential derived from theelectrodes attached to a scalp is mainly recoded as a waveform overtime. There are two types of electroencephalograms of a spontaneouselectroencephalogram and an induced electroencephalogram. Thespontaneous electroencephalogram is a potential that is constantlyfluctuating regardless of the occurrence of a specific event, and is anelectroencephalogram in a continuous state. On the other hand, theinduced electroencephalogram is a potential (hereinafter referred to asan event-related potential) occurring in relation to the occurrence ofan event. The induced electroencephalograms include an extrinsic typeoriginating from perceptual vision, hearing, and somatic sense, and anintrinsic type related to mental events such as expectation, attention,and decision making. In this example, a basic waveform of theevent-related potential of the electroencephalogram will be describedbriefly with reference to FIG. 4 will be briefly described. FIG. 4 is anillustrative diagram showing the basic waveform of the event-relatedpotential of the electroencephalogram.

The event-related potential is represented with a vertical axis as apotential “μV” and a horizontal axis as a time “ms”. In many cases, thewaveform of the event-related potential is expressed as a negative on anupper side and a positive on a lower side. A point of the eventoccurrence is indicated by 0 “ms” on the horizontal axis on the graph inthe case of an external stimulus. The waveform near 0 μV is called abaseline 401. In a negative direction of the electroencephalogram, anupward reflection is called N (Negative), and in the positive direction,a downward reflection is called P (Positive), and numbers are added inthe order of occurrence of each waveform (P1, P2, and so on in thefigure). Alternatively, waveforms are distinguished from each other witha standard peak latency time in “ms” unit. The peak latency time is atime till the appearance of a peak after receiving a stimulus.

P300 (reference numeral 402) induced by the oddball task described aboveis an apex of a third waveform in the positive direction, and since thepeak latency time is about 300 ms, the apex is also called P300. Whenanalyzing the feature of the electroencephalogram, in addition to thepeak latency time, an amplitude 404 between the vertices and a peakamplitude value 405 based on a base line are also used.

A peak latency time 403 of P300 has been known as a biomarker of the AD.It has been known that the peak latency time 403 of P300 (referencenumeral 402) is generally delayed with aging, but is further delayed inAD patients compared with the peak latency time with aging. In addition,it has been known that the reduction of the cognitive function becomesstronger as the peak latency time is delayed in the AD patients. Inaddition, it has been known that the peak latency time 403 of P300(reference numeral 402) is delayed even in healthy individuals who havea genetically high risk of AD.

In the oddball task, in providing stimulus such as a plurality of imagesand voice to the user, a stimulus presented at a low frequency is calleda target, and a stimulus presented at a high frequency is called astandard.

It has been known that P300 (reference numeral 402) is lowered in thefrequency of appearance when the frequency of the target becomesrelatively high in the presented stimulus, and P300 is likely to appearwhen the frequency of the target is low. Since there are individualdifferences in the appearance situation of P300 (reference numeral 402)with respect to those target frequencies, there is a need to adjust thetarget frequency (frequency of presenting the target to the user)according to the characteristics of each person.

Further, P300 (reference numeral 402) may not appear when attention tothe target during execution of the oddball task is reduced, andmaintenance of attention to the target at the time of task execution isalso important.

Further, the peak latency time 403 of P300 is often calculated mainly byaveraging the event-related potentials. This is because the inducedelectroencephalogram also contains spontaneous electroencephalogramcomponents, and those components are generated randomly. The peaklatency time 403 is frequently obtained by mainly averaging theevent-related potentials in order to remove the effects of thespontaneous electroencephalogram. However, since there is a method ofcalculating the peak latency time 403 of P300 (reference numeral 402)from one event-related potential, the calculation method is not limitedto the averaging.

In the present embodiment, the oddball task for causing the P300(reference numeral 402) to appear is presented to the subject whenperforming an operation having a purpose different from that of theelectroencephalograph measurement, for example, an operation foranswering an incoming call, and an examination for causing P300(reference numeral 402) to appear is performed without giving thesubject a mental burden due to imposing a cognitive function examinationon the subject. Hereinafter, data used for this purpose will bedescribed.

(Configuration Example of Watcher Table)

Next, the configuration of a table 501 (hereinafter referred to as“watcher table”) when data relating to the watcher is stored in theoddball task data storage section will be described with reference toFIG. 5A.

The watcher table 501 includes a watcher's phone number 502 [Tel_Num],name 503 [Name], e-mail address 504 [Mail_Address], a relation with theuser 505 [Relation], contact level data 506 [Information_Level], apicture data item 507, a voice data item 508, and a selection sensorystimulus 517 [Select_Stimulus].

The relation 505 with the user describes data indicating the relationwith the user, for example, information on a family relation (son ordaughter), a person in charge of a watching service such as a caremanager or an associated doctor.

The contact level data 506 stores a notification level such as theanalysis result of the measurement result. For example, in the case of afamily member, the notification level may be set to notify the familymember of the analysis result every time the result is obtained, and inthe case of a person concerned such as the care manager, thenotification level may be set to notify the person concerned of theanalysis result only when the sign has been detected.

The picture data item 507 holds data of a file number 509[Picture_File_No] of a file storing the watcher's picture, a variable510 [Validity] indicating whether or not P300 has been detected in aninitial test to be described later, a presentation frequency 511[Frequency] in the oddball task (stored based on the result of theinitial test, 20 or less is a guideline), an interval 512 [SInterval] atwhich to display pictures (stored based on the result of the initialtest, a unit is “ms”, 1.5 ms is a guideline), and a picture size 518[Size] to be displayed in the oddball task.

Similarly, the voice data item 508 holds data of number 513[Voice_File_No] of a file storing the voice of the watcher, a variable514 [validity] indicating whether or not P300 has been detected in theinitial test to be described later, a presentation frequency 515[Frequency] in the oddball task (stored based on the result of theinitial test, 20% or less is a guideline), an interval 516 [SInterval]at which to reproduce the voice (stored based on the result of theinitial test, a unit is “ms”, 1.5 ms is a guideline), and a volume 519[Volume] for reproducing the voice in the oddball task.

The selection sensory stimulus 517 holds the sensory stimulus when thecognitive function examination is performed. In an example of FIG. 5A,“P” is input when a visual picture is selected, and “V” is input when anauditory voice is selected.

The same selection sensory stimulus 517 is applied to any watcher afterselection.

The sense to be used in the examination is set by the user as a sensorystimulus (image, voice, or vibration) to be preferentially used as aninterface with the smartphone at the start of use of the cognitivefunction examination device, or by a method of a second embodiment to bedescribed later.

When this process is performed at the start of use of the cognitivefunction examination device, the process is performed immediately afterexecuting an initial setting flow of FIG. 7 . However, the process canbe changed even after that time.

(Configuration Example of Standard Table)

Next, a configuration of a table 520 (hereinafter referred to as“standard table”) that stores standard data in the oddball task datastorage section 103 will be described with reference to FIG. 5B.

The standard table 520 stores data related to standards used in oddballtasks. The standard table 520 includes a file identification number 521[File_ID_No], a stimulus type 522 [Stimulus_Type], and data validity 523[Validity].

The file identification number 521 is an identification number of thefile of picture data and voice data which is a standard.

The stimulus type 522 indicates the type of stimulus to be presented tothe user, and is set to “P” when the type is image data which is avisual stimulus, and set to “V” indicative of auditory data when thetype is voice data which is an auditory stimulus.

The data validity 523 [Validity] is set to “1” if data can be used as astandard without any problems during the initial test, which will bedescribed later, and set to “0” if data is not suitable for use due tothe appearance of P300 that should not originally occur.

(Description of how to Use Smartphone Equipped with Cognitive FunctionExamination Device at the Time of Receiving Incoming Call)

Next, how to use the smartphone equipped with the cognitive functionexamination device 101 according to the present invention at the time ofreceiving incoming call is described with reference to FIG. 6 .

An example of the smartphone 201 in which the electroencephalogrammeasurement electrodes 302 and 303 are disposed on the back surfaceshown in FIG. 3A will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

When a call is received from the watcher registered in the watcher tableon the smartphone 201, the smartphone 201 notifies the incoming call bya ringtone or vibration (FIG. 6A). When the user holds smartphone 201and brings a surface of his or her hand in contact with the twoelectroencephalogram measurement electrodes 302 and 303 on the backsurface 301 of the smartphone 201, the smartphone 201 starts a cognitivefunction examination (FIG. 6B, reference numeral 601).

When the cognitive function examination is set as “visual examination”,that is, when a value of the selection sensory stimulus 517[Select_Stimulus] in the watcher table 501 is set to “P”, the userconfirms a caller by looking at the screen (FIG. 6C).

In other words, an image 603 such as a pictogram selected as thestandard, and a face picture (corresponding to a face image) 604 of thecaller, who is a target, are displayed on the screen 602 of thesmartphone at random.

The user confirms the caller by looking at the face picture 604displayed on the screen 602 from a series of images 605 displayed.

On the other hand, when the cognitive function examination is set to“examination by auditory sense”, the value of the selection sensorystimulus 517 [Select_Stimulus] in the watcher table 501 is set to “V”.In that case, the user confirms the caller by listening to the ringingtone (FIG. 6D). In other words, when the user brings the surface of hishand into contact with the electroencephalogram measurement electrodes302 and 303 on the back surface 301 of the smartphone, a ringtone 606and a reading voice 607 of the name based on the caller's voice arereproduced at random. The user confirms the caller by listening to aseries of ringing voices 608.

The user confirms who is the caller is based on the caller's facepicture 604 or the reading voice 607 of the name, and then presses areception button to start a call.

The standard voice to be used in the oddball task may be a call which ispreviously stored in the smartphone, or may be obtained by selecting anyvoice from the ringtones stored by the user.

(Flow of Initial Setting Test)

A test flow at the time of initial setting will be described withreference to FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a test flowchart at the time of initialsetting. This flow is a process flow at the time of initial setting whenstarting to use the cognitive function examination device 101 accordingto the present invention.

The purpose of this test flow is to select data of the standard and thetarget and confirm whether or not the data can be used for the user'scognitive function examination.

Factors affecting the examination include a suitability of both stimulusdata (standard and target) as data, a frequency of the target in theexamination, an interval at which the target and the standard arepresented to the user, a quality of the stimulus (image size and voicevolume), and so on. This test flow serves to set and adjust thoseelements appropriately.

This initial setting test flow is performed by the cognitive functionexamination control section 109.

Upon confirmation that the examination is properly executed in the testflow, the cognitive function examination control section 109 stores avalidity of the target used in the test in a Validity 510 of a picturedata item 507 or in a Validity 514 of the voice data item 508 in thewatcher table.

Also, the result of this test process flow is stored in the picture dataitem 507 and the voice data item 508 of the watcher table 501.

The watcher table 501 and the standard table 520 are used for theexamination data creation section 107 to create the examination data.

Further, the examination data created by the examination data creationsection 107 is used when the cognitive function examination controlsection 109 performs the examination.

In this test flow, it is assumed that data related to the watcher of thewatcher table 501 has been set by the user in advance.

The above process is executed by, for example, displaying a watcherregistration screen or the like for the user before executing this testflow and using the member's phone number, e-mail address, picture, andso on registered in advance in a smartphone's phone book, and so on, andselecting the watcher from the registered data. The selected result isregistered in the phone number 502, the name 503, the mail address 504,and the relation 505 with the user in FIG. 5A. Hereinafter, the testflow at the time of initial setting will be described in detail.

In a flow of FIG. 7 , visual data and auditory data are assumed as thetypes of the examination data. However, in addition to the above data,there is a stimulus data for somatosensory, such as vibration as thetype of examination data, but the type of the examination data is notlimited to those types of data.

First, the cognitive function examination control section 109 selectsone watcher (Xn) from the watcher table 501 and selects a picture dataitem 507 (visual data P) or a voice data item 508 (auditory data V)(Step 701).

Next, the cognitive function examination control section 109 selects oneimage or voice from the visual data P or the auditory data V selected inStep 701 (Step 702). In the case of the visual data, the cognitivefunction examination control section 109 selects the picture data 509[Picture_File_No] stored in the watcher table 501, and in the case ofthe auditory data, the cognitive function examination control section109 selects the voice data 513 [Voice_File_No] stored in the watchertable 501.

Next, the cognitive function examination control section 109 selects thestandard from pictograms, icons, ringtones, and the like registered inadvance in the smartphone or the like (Step 703). In the case of thevisual data, the cognitive function examination control section 109selects pictograms and icons DPn, and in the case of auditory data, thecognitive function examination control section 109 selects incoming dataDVn.

Then, the cognitive function examination control section 109 sets aninitial value of a target stimulus measurement number Zn in the initialtest (Step 704). The number of target stimuli is set a plurality oftimes, for example, 3 times, in order to confirm the reproducibility ofa response to the stimuli. Also, the initial value=<Zn, for example, 2times is set as the number of appearances N of P300.

Next, the cognitive function examination control section 109 sets aninitial value of the target frequency Fn (Step 705). The targetfrequency is generally about 20%, and, for example, when five images areprepared, the cognitive function examination control section 109 setsone of those images as an image for target stimulus. In general, as thefrequency of stimulus to which attention is paid, at which the target ispresented to the frequent user is lower, P300 is likely to appear. Sincethere are individual differences in how to respond to the stimulus ofP300, the test is started from 20%, and if P300 does not appears well,the frequency is lowered than 20%.

Next, the cognitive function examination control section 109 sets aninitial value of a stimulus interval SIn for presenting the stimulus tothe user (Step 706). The stimulus interval is an interval at which thestimuli of the target and standard are presented to the user. In theoddball task, a time of the stimulus interval between the standard andthe target, which is presented to the user, is 1.5 s as a guideline.This interval also needs to be adjusted because the response to thestimulus varies from person to person.

Next, the cognitive function examination control section 109 uses theelectroencephalogram measurement section 105 to check whether or not thepotential has been detected from the electroencephalogram measurementelectrodes 302 and 303 on the back surface of the smartphone (Step 707),and if the potential has not been detected from the electrodes (“NO” inStep 707), the cognitive function examination control section 109 callsattention to the user so as to come in contact with theelectroencephalogram measurement electrodes 302 and 303 (Step 708). As amethod of calling attention, in the case of the examination using animage, the cognitive function examination control section 109 callsattention to the user on a screen of the smartphone, and in the case ofthe examination using voice, the cognitive function examination controlsection 109 calls attention to the user with voice through the speaker225 of the smartphone.

If the potential has been detected from the electrodes (“YES” in Step707), the cognitive function examination control section 109 starts aninitial test (Step 709).

The initial test process (Step 709) is a test for executing anexamination for test with the use of the standard and target selected inSteps 702 and 703, the set target stimulus measurement count, the targetfrequency, and the stimulus interval. Specifically, a series ofoperations as illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C are performed in a pseudomanner.

Next, the cognitive function examination control section 109 performs ananalysis of P300 with the use of the electroencephalogram data measuredin the initial test process (Step 709) (Step 710).

The cognitive function examination control section 109 temporarilystores the waveform for each target stimulus during the test executionand the analysis result of P300 (whether the waveform is generated) inthe buffer RAM 213.

If P300 appears from the user for all the target stimuli in the test(“YES” in Step 711), the cognitive function examination control section109 sets the image or voice registered in the watcher table 501 to beavailable (Step 712). Specifically, the cognitive function examinationcontrol section 109 sets a value of the Validity variable 510 or 514 ofthe watcher table 501 to 1. A value 1 of the Validity variable 510 or514 means that the image or voice is available.

Then, the cognitive function examination control section 109 stores thetarget frequency Fn (set in Step 705), the stimulus interval SIn (set inStep 706), the size of the picture, and the value of the volume forreproducing the voice, as the presentation frequency [Frequency]variable 511 or 515 that is the target attribute of the watcher table501, [SInterval] variable 512 or 516, the variable of the picture size518 [Size], and the variable of the volume 519 [Volume] (Step 713).

As the values of the variables of the picture size 518 [Size] and thevolume 519 [Volume], initial setting values or values after adjustmentin Step 716 are input.

Finally, data on the standard used in the test is stored in the standardtable 520. That is, the standard file number is stored in the fileidentification number [File_ID_No] of the standard table, and thestandard data type is stored in the stimulus type [Stimulus_Type] 522 ofthe standard table 520 (if the standard is image data, “p” is input, andthe standard is voice data, “v” is input), and “1” is input in the datavalidity [Validity] 523.

Next, another registered image or voice is selected (Step 702).

In Step 711, when P300 does not appear from the user for all the targetstimuli (“NO” in Step 711), it is checked whether or not P300 appears Ntimes or more (“NO” in Step 714). If P300 does not appear (“NO” in Step714), attention is called to concentrate on the test (Step 715). SinceP300 may not appear due to distraction, P300 has a Step for promptingsuch attention. Thereafter, the size or volume of the image or voice isadjusted (Step 716), and the initial test is executed again (Step 709).

In Step 714, when the appearance of P300 with respect to the targetstimulus can be confirmed N times (“YES” in Step 717), the cognitivefunction examination control section 109 determines whether or not thestimulus interval SIn=>2.0 is met (Step 717), and if SIn=>2.0 is not met(“NO” in Step 717), the stimulus interval SIn is increased by S (Step718). The variable S is set to 0.1, for example.

In Step 717, if the stimulus interval SIn=>2.0 is met (“YES” in Step717), the cognitive function examination control section 109 determineswhether or not the target frequency <=0.05 is met at that time (Step719). If the target frequency <=0.05 is not met (“NO” in Step 719), thetarget frequency is reduced by T (Step 720). For example, the variable Tis set to −0.05%, for example.

In Step 719, when the target frequency <=0.05 is met (“YES” in Step719), the cognitive function examination control section 109 determineswhether or not P300 appears with respect to the standard (Step 721). IfP300 appears (“YES” in Step 721), the cognitive function examinationcontrol section 109 selects a pictograph, an icon, or a ringtone inwhich another image or voice is stored in advance in the smartphone(Step 722), and the process returns to Step 703.

Normally, the waveform of P300 does not appear in the standard, butsince it cannot be said that P300 does not appear in the target due tothe stimulus of the standard, the waveform of the electroencephalogramin the standard is finally confirmed.

If P300 does not appear in the standard (“NO” in Step 721), thecognitive function examination control section 109 sets the registeredimage or voice to be not available and notifies the user of the result(Step 723).

Specifically, the cognitive function examination control section 109sets the value of the Validity variable 510 or 514 of the watcher table501 to 0. A value “0” of the Validity variable 510 or 514 means that theregistered image or voice is unavailable.

The reason for notifying the user is to notify that the registeredwatcher data is not appropriate for the examination. Upon receiving thisnotification, the user needs to newly register data for the watcher. Theresult notification includes the contents.

It is checked whether or not all the pictures and voices have beenchecked (Step 724). If not checked (“NO” in Step 724), the processreturns to Step 702 to select a new target.

If all the pictures and voices have been checked (“YES” in Step 724), itis checked whether all the watchers have been tested (Step 725), and ifnot tested (“NO” in Step 725), the process returns to Step 701 to selectanother watcher. If all the watchers have been tested (“YES” in Step725), the test process is terminated.

In this example, in Step 717, a boundary value of SIn is set to 2.0, butthe present invention is not limited to this value.

When P300 appears in the standard in Step 721, the file number of thedata used as the standard is input to the file identification number 521[File_ID_No] of the standard table 520, and “p” is input to the stimulustype [Stimulus_Type] 522 of the standard table 520 if the standard isimage data, and “v” is input to the stimulus type [Stimulus_Type] 522 ifthe standard is voice data.

Also, “0” is input to the data availability [Validity] 523 of thestandard table 520.

(Configuration Example of Examination Data (Table))

FIG. 10 is a configuration example of the examination data table storedin the examination data storage section 108.

The table 1001 (hereinafter referred to as “examination data storagetable”) of the examination data storage section 108 includes examinationdata ID No. 1002, a used image or voice file number 1003, a targetfrequency 1004 [Target_Frequency], and a stimulus type 1005[Stimulus_Type], the stimulus order 1006 [Or1, Or2, Or3, Or4, Or5, . . .OrN] of the visual stimulus P or auditory stimulus V, and the target andstandard order and stimulus presentation interval 1007 [SInt].

The used image and voice file number 1003 includes a target file number1008 [Target_File_No] and a standard file number 1009[Standard_File_No].

(Examination data Creation Section Flow)

Next, a process flow of the examination data creation section 107 willbe described with reference to FIG. 8 . This process flow is executed bythe cognitive function examination control section 109 upon receivingthe result of the test flow, immediately after the test flow executionof FIG. 7 , or when receiving a call from the watcher.

When this process flow is executed at the time of receiving a call fromthe watcher, the process flow may be executed immediately after the callfrom the watcher, or after the end of the call from the watcher.

A flow of FIG. 8 shows an example in which the process flow isimplemented immediately after a call from the watcher.

The cognitive function examination control section 109 checks whether ornot the examination data is stored in the examination data storagetable, and confirms whether or not a first creation is to be performed(Step 801), and if the first creation is to be performed (“YES” in Step801), the cognitive function examination control section 109 selectswatcher Xn of the watcher table 501 (Step 802). The first examinationdata creation is performed immediately after execution of the test flowof FIG. 7 .

Next, the examination data creation section 107 selects the type of teststimulus to be created (Step 803). The stimulus type is selected fromthe registered stimulus types with reference to the selection sensorystimulus 517 and the stimulus type 522 of the watcher table 501 and thestandard table 520 of the oddball task data storage section 103. Whenimage data that is visual data and voice data of auditory data arestored, the examination data creation section 107 selects “P” or “V”.

Then, the examination data creation section 107 refers to the watchertable 501 which is located in the oddball task data storage section 103,and selects the image data file number 509 in the case of a picturewhich is a target or the voice data file number 513 in the case of avoice which is a target (Step 804).

When the visual sense is selected in Step 803, the examination datacreation section 107 selects the picture data item 507 of the watcher,and when the auditory sense is selected, the examination data creationsection 107 selects the voice data item 508 of the watcher. At thistime, in the case of the [Validity] picture 510, the examination datacreation section 107 selects 510 whose value is “1”, and in the case ofthe voice, the examination data creation section 107 selects 514 whosevalue is “1”.

Next, the examination data creation section 107 refers to the standardtable 520 in the oddball task data storage section 103 and selects astandard image or voice (Step 805). When the examination data creationsection 107 selects the visual data “P” in Step 803, the examinationdata creation section 107 selects the visual data in which the value ofthe stimulus type [Stimulus_Type] 522 of the standard table 520 is “P”and the value of the data validity [Validity] 523 is “1”.

Next, the examination data creation section 107 refers to the watchertable 501 and sets the target frequency Fn (frequency 511 in the case ofa picture and frequency 515 in the case of a voice) of the selectedtarget (Step 806).

Next, the examination data creation section 107 determines the standardof the oddball task and the order of presentation of the targets so thatthe target appears at the frequency Fn set in Step 806 (Step 807).

Next, the examination data creation section 107 stores the target andstandard presentation order determined in Step 807 in the stimulus order1006 of the examination data storage table 1001 of the examination datastorage section 108 (Step 808).

In the stimulus order 1006, for example, a symbol “T” indicating thetarget and a period symbol “S” indicating the standard may be used tostore the order of those targets and the standard as a stimulus order.

Then, the examination data creation section 107 stores the selectedtarget stimulus presentation interval (SInterval 512 in the case of thepicture, SInterval 516 in the case of the voice) in the stimuluspresentation interval [SInt] 1007 of the examination data storage table1001 of the examination data storage section 108 (Step 809).

The examination data creation section 107 stores other examination datain the examination data storage table 1001 of the examination datastorage section 108 (Step 810).

Specifically, the examination data creation section 107 stores the filenumber of the target selected in Step 804 in [Target_File_No] 1008 ofthe file number 1003 of the used image or voice in the examination datastorage table 1001. Further, the examination data creation section 107stores the standard file number selected in Step 805 in[Standard_File_No] 1009 of the file number 1003 of the used image orvoice in the examination data storage table 1001.

The examination data creation section 107 stores the target frequency Fnset in Step 806 in the target frequency [Target_Frequency] 1004 of theexamination data storage table 1001.

The examination data creation section 107 stores the stimulus type setin Step 803 in the stimulus type [Stimulus_Type] 1005 of the examinationdata storage table 1001. The examination data creation section 107stores “P” in the case of the picture and “V” in the case of the voice.

The examination data creation section 107 refers to the selectionsensory stimulus 517 of the watcher table 501, confirms whether or notexecution has been made with all of the sensory stimuli registered (Step811), and if the execution has been made with all of the sensory stimuli(“YES” in Step 811), the examination data creation section 107 confirmswhether or not the execution has been made with all registrantsregistered in the watcher table (Step 812).

If the execution has been made with all the registrants (“YES” in Step812), the process is terminated. If the execution has not been made withall the registrants (“NO” in Step 812), the examination data creationsection 107 selects another watcher (Step 802).

Returning to Step 811, the examination data creation section 107confirms whether or not the execution has been made with all senses. Ifthe execution has not been made with all the senses (“NO” in Step 811),the examination data creation section 107 selects another stimulus type(Step 803).

Returning to Step 801, the examination data creation section 107confirms whether or not the first creation is to be performed (“NO” inStep 801). If the first creation is not to be performed (“NO” in Step801), the examination data creation section 107 identifies the watcherXn (Step 813), refers to the selection sensory stimulus 517 in thewatcher table 501, and confirms the selection sensory stimulus (Step814).

Next, the examination data creation section 107 searches one of[File_NumberPicture_File_No] 509 and [Voice_File_No] 513 of theselective stimulus selected in Step 813, and checks ID with theexamination data [ID No] 1002 with reference to [Target_File_No] 1008 ofthe used image or voice file number 1003 based on the searched result(Step 815). The examination data creation section 107 again determinesthe presentation order of the standard and the target based on theexamination data of the examined examination data ID (mainly targetfrequency 1004) (Step 816).

The examination data creation section 107 stores and updates the resultin Step 816 as a stimulus order 1006 of the examination data storagetable 1001, and completes the processing (Step 817).

(Overall Cognitive Function Examination Process flow)

Next, a process flow of the overall cognitive function examination willbe described with reference to FIG. 9 . A flow in FIG. 9 is executed bythe cognitive function examination control section 109 when thesmartphone is activated.

In a relation with FIG. 6 , FIG. 6A corresponds to Step 901, FIG. 6Bcorresponds to Step 905, and FIGS. 6C and 6D correspond to Step 907.

When someone calls a user's smartphone, the smartphone is in an incomingstate. In response, this process flow receives an incoming call (Step901), and executes a caller determination process using the incomingcall as an event (Step 902).

Specifically, the cognitive function examination control section 109checks whether or not the phone is registered in the table withreference to the watcher table 501, based on the telephone number at thetime of incoming call, to thereby confirm whether or not the caller is awatcher (Step 903). If not (“NO” in Step 903), the process isterminated.

If the caller is a watcher (“YES” in Step 903), the cognitive functionexamination control section 109 executes the examination data creationprocessing described above, to generate examination data (Step 904).

Next, the cognitive function examination control section 109 checkswhether or not an electroencephalogram potential has been detected (Step905). If not detected (“NO” in Step 905), the cognitive functionexamination control section 109 urges the caller to touch the electrodesby display on the screen, voice, or the like (Step 906). In order toprevent reception from the use without confirming the caller, thecognitive function examination control section 109 may perform displayor announcement for calling attention to confirm the caller when thecaller is found to be a watcher or when an electroencephalogrampotential is detected.

When the electroencephalogram potential has been detected in Step 905(“YES” in Step 905), the cognitive function examination control section109 executes the examination execution and the electroencephalogrammeasurement process (Step 907).

Specifically, the cognitive function examination control section 109executes the examination with reference to the examination data storagetable 1001 of the examination data storage section 108, and instructsthe electroencephalogram measurement section 105 to start theelectroencephalogram measurement.

Next, the cognitive function examination control section 109 confirmswhether or not the reception button has been selected (Step 908). If thereception button has been selected (“YES” in Step 908), the cognitivefunction examination control section 109 terminates the examination andthe electroencephalogram measurement process, and executes the cognitivefunction analysis (Step 909).

The cognitive function analysis in Step 909 is in charge of thecognitive function analysis section 111, the cognitive functionexamination control section 109 receives an event caused by depressionof a reception button, and issues an instruction to the cognitivefunction analysis section 111 to execute the cognitive functionanalysis.

In the cognitive function analysis in Step 909, the cognitive functionanalysis section 111 calculates a value of P300 according to theelectroencephalogram measurement result, and compares the calculatedvalue with the analysis data set in advance, thereby detecting a sign ofcognitive function reduction.

If the reception button has not been selected in Step 908 (“NO” in Step908), the cognitive function examination control section 109 continuesthe examination test execution and the electroencephalogram measurementas they are (Step 907).

The cognitive function examination control section 109 confirms from theanalysis result of Step 909 whether or not a sign of cognitive functionreduction has been detected (Step 910), and if not detected (“NO” inStep 910), the processing is terminated. If the sign of cognitivefunction reduction has been detected (“YES” in Step 910), the cognitivefunction examination control section 109 executes a cognitive functionreduction notification process (Step 911), and the process isterminated.

The cognitive function reduction notification in Step 911 is in chargeof the cognitive function reduction notification section 113, and thecognitive function analysis section 111 issues an instruction to thecognitive function reduction notification section 113 upon receiving thesign of the cognitive function reduction whereby the cognitive functionreduction notification is executed.

Further, in the cognitive function reduction notification in Step 911,the cognitive function examination control section 109 transmits theanalysis result to the watcher registered in the watcher table with theuse of the registered mail address. Alternatively, the cognitivefunction examination control section 109 displays the analysis result onthe display section 115 and notifies the user himself or herself of theanalysis result.

In a flow of FIG. 9 , the cognitive function reduction notificationsection 113 performs the cognitive function reduction notification inresponse to the detection of the cognitive function reduction sign, butmay notify the user of the analysis result regardless of the signdetection result.

In the present embodiment, a mail is used as how to contact the watcherbut the present invention not limited to this method.

If a result close to the P300 value of the AD patient is obtained, theuser may be prompted to go to a hospital directly or be automaticallynotified a specialized department such as a local government.

In this case, in this flow, the detection confirmation of theelectroencephalogram potential in Step 905 may be executed before theexamination data creation in Step 904 or before the caller determinationin Step 902.

In addition, in the examination data creation in Step 904, examinationdata for use at the next incoming call at the time or after the previousincoming call may be generated in advance and stored in the examinationdata storage section 108, and the examination data may be read.

(Example of Test Data for Oddball Task)

Next, an execution example of the oddball task used in the execution ofthe examination and the electroencephalogram measurement in Step 907 inFIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 .

FIG. 11A shows an example of the oddball task in which the type ofexamination data is visual data, that is, an image visual stimulus. Inthis example, star marks of the standard image (FIG. 11A) and a personof the target image (FIG. 11A, 1104 ) are displayed as the examinationdata at predetermined time intervals.

In FIG. 11A, a horizontal axis represents a time (ms), and a verticalaxis represents a potential (μV). An upper part of the graph shows anegative potential and a lower part of the graph shows a positivepotential. An upper part 1101 of the graph shows a presentation timingof the examination data image.

The image presentation interval is 1.5 s (reference numeral 1102). Thistime is an estimated time, and the present invention is not limited tothis time. The presentation interval is set based on a value describedin the stimulus presentation interval 1007 of the examination datastorage table 1001.

A measurement range of an electroencephalogram in the target andstandard stimulus images is assumed to be a period of 1.5s including 100ms before those stimuli are presented (reference numeral 1103, which isan estimated time, and the present invention is not limited to thistime).

Incidentally, in order to make it possible to verify the validity of theexamination result later, the measurement of the electroencephalogram isperformed not only on the target but also on the standard, and themeasurement result is stored. Only the electroencephalogram for thetarget can be measured and stored in relation to a storable datacapacity.

The images of the standards and the target are reproduced according tothe stimulus order 1006 stored in the examination data storage table1001 of the examination data storage section 108 shown in FIG. 10 andthe stimulus presentation interval 1007 of the same table 1001. FIG. 11Ashows an example in which the stimulus presentation interval 1007 is setto 1.5s.

The lower part of the graph shows an example of an electroencephalogramthat is measured when an image of examination data is presented. Anexample of FIG. 11A is an example in which a picture of the targetwatcher is presented thirdly and the reception button is depressedimmediately after the third picture. In an example of FIG. 11A, sincethe electroencephalogram is measured until the reception button isselected, the electroencephalograms for the fourth and fifth standardsare not measured.

In an example of FIG. 11A, when a third image of the target ispresented, P300 appears at 1107 in the electroencephalogram 1104(waveform in a period indicated by reference numeral 1105), but P300does not appear in the electroencephalogram when first and second imagesof the standard are presented.

In an example of FIG. 11A, as a measurement result of theelectroencephalogram at the time of target presentation, a waveform(waveform in a period indicated by reference numeral 1105) in a periodof 1.5 s from 100 ms before the target stimulus is presented to 100 ms(point 1108) before a next standard stimulus is presented is assumed tobe used in the cognitive function analysis section 111.

In the example of FIG. 11A, the electroencephalogram measurement isterminated when the user selects the reception button, but themeasurement is continued at least until an end point 1108 of theelectroencephalogram measurement period for the target. For that reason,even if the reception button is selected before the end point 1108, themeasurement is continued until the end point 1108.

FIG. 11B shows an example of an oddball task in which the type ofexamination data is auditory data, that is, voice auditory stimulus.

In the present example, a call voice “ring, which is the voice (FIG.11B) of the standard, and a voice by which a name of the watcher, whichis the target voice (1114 in FIG. 11B) are output at predetermined timeintervals.

Similar to FIG. 11A, a horizontal axis represents a time (ms), and avertical axis represents a potential (μV). An upper part of the graphshows a negative potential and a lower part of the graph shows apositive potential. An image 1111 at the upper part of the graph shows apresentation timing of the examination data voice.

The stimulus presentation interval is set to 1.5 s (reference numeral1112). This time is a standard time, and the present invention is notlimited to this time.

The presentation interval is set based on the value described in thestimulus presentation interval 1007 of the examination data storagetable 1001.

The measurement range of the electroencephalogram for the target andstandard stimulus voices is 1.5 s including 100 ms before the stimulusis presented (reference numeral 1113). This time is an estimated timeand the present invention is not limited to this time.

In order to make it possible to verify the validity of the examinationresult later, the measurement of the electroencephalogram is performednot only on the target but also on the standard, and the measurementresult is stored. Only the electroencephalogram for the target due tothe storable data capacity can be measured and stored.

The voices of the standard and the target are reproduced according tothe stimulus order 1006 stored in the examination data storage table1001 and the stimulus presentation interval 1007 of the same table 1001.In addition, FIG. 11B shows an example when the stimulus presentationinterval 1007 is set to 1.5s.

The reproduction is performed according to the stimulus order 1006stored in the examination data storage table 1001 of the examinationdata storage section 108 in FIG. 10 .

A lower part of the graph shows the electroencephalogram that ismeasured when the examination data is presented.

The example of FIG. 11B is an example in the case where the voice withwhich the name of the target watcher is read is presented thirdly andthe reception button is pressed immediately after the presentation.

In the example of FIG. 11B, since the electroencephalogram is measureduntil the reception button is selected, the electroencephalograms forthe standards presented in the fourth and fifth pictures are notmeasured. In the example of FIG. 11B, P300 appears in theelectroencephalogram (a waveform in a period indicated by 1115) when thevoice 1114 as a target is presented thirdly (reference numeral 1117),but P300 does not appear in the electroencephalogram when the voices asthe standard are presented firstly and secondly.

A part used in the cognitive function analysis section 111 as anelectroencephalogram at the time of target presentation is a waveform ina period of 1.5 s from 100 ms before the target stimulus 1114 ispresented to 100 ms (point 1108) (waveform in a period indicated byreference numeral 1115) before the next standard stimulus is presented.

In the example of FIG. 11B, the measurement of the electroencephalogramis terminated when the user selects the reception button, but themeasurement is continued at least until an end point 1118 of theelectroencephalogram measurement period for the target. For that reason,even when the reception button is selected before the end point 1118,the measurement is continued until the end point 1118.

(Table Configuration Example of Electroencephalogram Data StorageSection)

Next, a configuration example of an electroencephalogram data tablestored in the electroencephalogram data storage section 106 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 12 .

An electroencephalogram data table 1201 includes an ID No. 1202, acaller (watcher) name 1203 [Name], a stimulus type 1204 [image [P] orvoice [V]], a measurement time 1205 [a measurement start time 1206 and ameasurement end time 1207], measurement data 1208 (μV, per 5 ms), targetand standard file numbers 1209 [Target_File_No1210,Standard_File_No1211], a target frequency 1212 [Target_Frequency], astimulus order 1213 [Or1, Or2, Or3, Or4, O R5, . . . , OrN], and astimulus interval 1214 [SInt].

The measurement data 1208 is stored at an interval of 5 ms in real timeby the cognitive function examination control section 109 upon receivingthe result of measurement by the electroencephalogram measurementsection 105 (an equivalent or more waveform may be measured, and theinterval is not limited to the above value).

The target and standard file numbers 1209 [Target_File_No1210,Standard_File_No1211] store the target and standard file numbers used inthe examination.

The target frequency 1212 stores the target frequency at the time of theexamination.

The stimulus order 1213 stores the reproduction order of the target andstandard files. For example, the stimulus order 1213 may be indicated bythe order of symbols in the case where the target is “t” and thestandard is “s”.

The stimulus interval 1214 stores an interval at which the stimulus ispresented at the time of examination.

(Table Configuration Example of Analysis Data Storage Section)

Next, a configuration example of the analysis data storage table storedin the analysis data storage section 110 will be described withreference to FIG. 13 .

An analysis data storage table 1301 includes an ID No. 1302, a data type1303, a measurement period 1304 of data during which the analysis datais calculated, a peak latency time average value 1305 (ms) of P300, adelay ratio 1306 [%] from a period average value during a past peaklatency time, a peak latency time 1307 (ms) of P300 used in thedetermination of the presence or absence of the sign, and a requiredsample number 1308. In this example, the required sample number 1308indicates the number of samples of electroencephalogram data requiredwhen the P300 of the target electroencephalogram is obtained byaveraging.

In the example of FIG. 13 , three types are set as the analysis datatype [DataType] 1303.

One of the analysis data type 1303 is analysis data derived from theuser's past examination results. The analysis data type is indicated bya value “1” of variable [DataType] (defined by SelfLog) (referencenumeral 1309). The data measurement period 1304 for calculating theanalysis data is a data measurement period for calculating the analysisdata. The peak latency time average value 1305 of P300 stores the peaklatency time average value of P300 during this measurement period. Thesign of cognitive function reduction is calculated based on a valueobtained by setting a certain delay ratio to the peak latency timeaverage value 1305 of P300. This delay ratio is a delay ratio 1306 (%)from the period average value during the past peak latency time.Moreover, a value obtained by multiplying the delay ratio 1306 (%) fromthe average period value during the past peak latency time to the peaklatency time average value 1305 of P300 is a peak latency time 1307 (ms)of P300 used in the determination of the presence or absence of thesign.

The remaining two analysis data types 1303 are set as general data.

One of the remaining two analysis data types 1303 is an average value ofthe user's ages. The average value is indicated by a value 2 (defined byAgeAve) of the variable [DataType](reference numeral 1310). This valueis stored in the peak latency time 1307 of P300 used in thedetermination of the presence or absence of the sign. The datameasurement period 1304 during which the analysis data is calculated,the peak latency time average value 1305 of P300, the delay ratio 1306(%) from the period average value during the average peak latency time,and the required sample number 1308 are related to SelfLog 1309, all ofthose values are set to “0”.

The other analysis data type 1303 is indicated by a value 3 (defined byADAgeAve) of a variable [DataType] which is an age average value of ADpatients (reference numeral 1311).

This value is stored in the peak latency time 1307 of P300 used in thedetermination of the presence or absence of the sign.

The data measurement period 1304 during which the analysis data iscalculated, the peak latency time average value 1305 of P300, the delayratio 1306 (%) from the period average value during the average peaklatency time, and the required sample number 1308 are related to SelfLog1309, all of those values are set to “0”.

The data measurement period 1304 in which the analysis data iscalculated includes a start date 1312 [Start: YYYY-MM-DD] and an enddate 1313 [YYYY-MM-DD].

A data entry example of SelfLog 1309 of the data type 1303 is shown in1314.

A data entry example of AgeAve 1310 of the data type 1303 is shown in1315.

A data entry example of ADAgeAve 1311 of the data type 1303 is shown in1316.

In this example, in the average value of 1310 [AgeAve] for each age andthe age average 1311 [ADAgeAve] of patients with Alzheimer's disease,data selected according to the user's age from the average value datathat has been stored in the inside of the device from the beginning maybe stored, or results obtained by accessing a medical database andsearching according to the user's age may be stored when connectable toa network.

Incidentally, the data type 1303 to be compared is set in advance byinitial setting or mode change.

(Table Configuration Example of Cognitive Function Analysis ResultStorage Section)

Referring to FIG. 14 , a configuration example of a table which isstored in the analysis result storage section 112 will be described.

A table 1401 of the cognitive function analysis result storage sectionincludes an analysis result ID No. 1402, a calculation period 1403 ofthe data for calculating the average time of the peak latency time ofP300, a caller 1404, a stimulus type 1405, an average peak latency time1406 of P300, an analysis data type 1407 used in detecting the sign, anda sign presence or absence determination result 1408.

The data calculation period 1403 for calculating the average time at thetime of the peak latency time of P300 includes a start date 1409 and anend date 1410.

In addition, the stimulus type 1405 is a visual stimulus [P]1411 or anauditory stimulus [V] 1412.

The average peak latency time 1406 of P300 is an average within the datacalculation period, and its unit is ms.

In the [DataType] of the analysis data type 1407, when the user's pastP300 peak latency time is used, a (SelfLog 1413) value “1” is stored,and when the average value of P300 peak latency time of the user age isused, an (AgeAve 1414) value “2” is stored, and when the average valueof the P300 peak latency time of the age average of Alzheimer's diseasepatients is used, an (ADAgeAve 1415) value “3” is stored.

In the [Result] 1416 of the sign presence or absence determinationresult 1408, value “1” (reference numeral 1417) is set if there is asign, and value “0” (reference numeral 1418) is set if there is no sign.

(Process Flow of Cognitive Function Analysis Section)

Next, processing contents of the cognitive function analysis section 111according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 15 .

In the present embodiment, a description will be made on the assumptionthat the data analysis period is predetermined in advance. For example,the data analysis period may be the last day at an end of a month or thelast day in a period determined by the user.

The cognitive function analysis section 111 performs a schedulemanagement using a timer 119 in order to perform cognitive function dataanalysis on the electroencephalogram data. For example, the cognitivefunction analysis section 111 checks whether or not to reach the dataanalysis period to be executed next (Step 1501), and if not reached(“NO” in Step 1501), the process is terminated.

If the data analysis period has been reached (“YES” in Step 1501), thecognitive function analysis section 111 selects the watcher Xn with thestored data in the analysis period (Step 1502).

Next, the cognitive function analysis section 111 extracts data for eachstored data type from the stored data within the analysis period (Step1503). Specifically, the cognitive function analysis section 111searches the watcher selected from the name 1203 of the caller (watcher)of the electroencephalogram data table 1201 and extracts the data foreach stimulus type 1204 from the appropriate search result (Step 1503).

Next, the cognitive function analysis section 111 determines whether ornot the data extracted in Step 1503 includes a minimum necessary datasample (Step 1504).

The minimum necessary data sample is examined by selecting SelfLog 1309in the analysis data storage table 1301 and referring to the value ofthe required sample number 1308.

If there is a sample (“YES” in Step 1504), the cognitive functionanalysis section 111 refers to the order of the stimulus data, extractsthe measured waveform data that appears for the target stimulus from thestored electroencephalogram data, and temporarily stores the extractedmeasured waveform data in the buffer (Step 1505).

The cognitive function analysis section 111 refers to the stimulus order1213 of the electroencephalogram data table 1201 as the order of thestimulus data to check the order of “t”, and calculates the time whenthe “t” appears according to the time of the stimulus interval. Then,the cognitive function analysis section 111 extracts the data of thetime zone from the measurement data 1208. For example, if “t” is thethird order and the stimulus interval is 1.5s, the target is presentedafter approximately 3s, and therefore, 3 to 4.5 seconds of themeasurement data become appropriate data. In fact, data to be analyzedis 0.1 ms before the stimulus presentation, but since the measurementdata is also measured from 0.1 second before the stimulus presentation,3 seconds to 4.5 seconds of the measurement data may be extracted.

The buffer is provided on the RAM 213 and is managed by the cognitivefunction analysis section 111.

Next, the cognitive function analysis section 111 checks whether or notthe waveform extraction for the target period has been completed fromthe results extracted in Step 1503 (Step 1506). If not completed (“NO”in Step 1506), the cognitive function analysis section 111 extracts themeasured waveform data of the target, and temporarily stores theextracted result in a buffer (Step 1505). The buffer stores and saves awaveform identification number [Wave_No], a caller watcher [Name], astimulus type [P] or [V], a measurement time (measurement start time:[Start_Time], measurement end time: [Start_Time]), a target waveformdata μV, per 5 ms, and a stimulus interval [SInt].

In Step 1506, if the extraction of the waveform for the target periodhas been completed from the results extracted in Step 1503 (“YES” inStep 1506), the cognitive function analysis section 111 calculates theaverage of the P300 peak latency time with the use of theelectroencephalogram data of the target stimulus accumulated in theextracted buffer (Step 1507).

Then, the cognitive function analysis section 111 stores the result ofaveraging P300 in a set period in the average peak latency time 1406 ofP300 in the analysis result storage section 112 (Step 1508).

Next, the cognitive function analysis section 111 selects the data type1303 to be compared from the analysis data storage table 1301 of theanalysis data storage section 110 (Step 1509).

Then, the cognitive function analysis section 111 compares a value ofthe peak latency time 1307 of P300 used in the determination of thepresence or absence of the sign of the selected data type 1303 with theaverage time for the peak latency time of P300 in the analysis period(Step 1510).

In Step 1510, if the average time is equal to or less than the value ofthe peak latency time 1307 of P300 used in the determination of thepresence or absence of the sign of the selected data type 1303 (“NO” inStep 1511), the cognitive function analysis section 111 determines thatthere is no sign, and stores the determination result together with thetype of analysis data to be compared in the table 1401 of the analysisresult storage section 112 (Step 1512).

In Step 1510, if the average time is more than the value of the peaklatency time 1307 of P300 used in the determination of the presence orabsence of the sign of the selected data type 1303 (“YES” in Step 1511),the cognitive function analysis section 111 determines that there is asign, and stores the determination result together with the type ofanalysis data to be compared in the average peak latency time 1406 ofP300 in the table 1401 of the analysis result storage section 112 (Step1513).

The cognitive function analysis section 111 checks whether to comparewith all of the data types 1303 in the analysis data storage table 1301(Step 1514), and if not compared (“NO” in Step 1514), the cognitivefunction analysis section 111 selects the type of data to be compared inthe analysis data storage section 110 (Step 1509).

In the example of FIG. 13 , three data types are registered. In thatcase, in Step 1514, the cognitive function analysis section 11 checkswhether or not those three data types are compared.

The cognitive function analysis section 111 check if all the data types1303 have been compared, and if compared (“YES” in Step 1514), thecognitive function analysis section 111 checks if all watchers' data hasbeen analyzed (Step 1515), and if analyzed (“YES” in Step 1515), theprocess is terminated.

The cognitive function analysis section 111 checks whether to analyzethe data of all the watchers with reference to the name 1203 of thecaller (watcher) of the electroencephalogram data table 1201 (Step1515), and if not analyzed (“NO” in Step 1515), the cognitive functionanalysis section 111 selects the watcher Xn with the stored data in theanalysis period (Step 1502).

The reason for analyzing the electroencephalogram measurement data foreach watcher is that the picture or voice presented to the user as adata stimulus used at the time of measurement differs for each watcher.The reason for analyzing the electroencephalogram measurement data foreach stimulus vision or auditory sense is that a tendency of the peaklatency time of P300 differs depending on the type of stimulus used.

(Example of Cognitive Function Analysis Result)

FIG. 16 shows an example of the cognitive function analysis result for aspecific watcher. In the example of FIG. 16 , the average calculationperiod of the peak latency time is set to one month (reference numeral1601) and the peak latency time of P300 every month is analyzed. Ahorizontal axis indicates a monthly unit during measurement, and avertical axis indicates a peak latency time of P300.

In the example of FIG. 16 , a case in which the average time at the peaklatency time of P300 on the monthly basis is slowed by 15% or more incomparison with the results of the last three months is regarded as asign of the reduction in the cognitive function and set in advance inthe analysis data storage section 110.

Since May 2016 (reference numeral 1602) is slower than the average peaklatency time 1603 of P300 for the past 3 months by 15% or more(reference numeral 1604), it is determined that there is a sign.

Incidentally, the result of FIG. 16 is calculated for each watcher. Forthat reason, there are cases in which a sign is determined to be presentand in which a sign is determined to be absent depending on the watchereven in the same period. However, if any one person determines thatthere is a sign, it may be determined that there is a sign, or when theresults for all registered watchers indicate that there is a sign, itmay be finally determined that the sign is present.

The analysis result of the peak latency time of P300 as shown in FIG. 16may be notified a specific watcher of when a sign is detected orwhenever the result is calculated by monthly analysis.

According to the present embodiment, an oddball task is automaticallygenerated, the task is automatically executed, and a function forautomatically measuring an electroencephalogram during execution of thetask is installed, thereby being capable of examining the state ofcognitive function of the user (subject) in daily life. At that time,the user is less likely to be aware that the cognitive functionexamination is being performed because an oddball task is presentedduring an operation of a different purpose from the cognitive functionexamination, for example, during an answering operation of the telephoneto acquire the electroencephalogram data for the task. As a result, apsychological burden feeling at the time when the user receives acognitive function examination can be reduced.

Further, with the provision of the function for automatically analyzingthe examination result, the state of the user's cognitive function canbe periodically, checked.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the cognitive functionexamination data can be automatically generated with the use of a DB forstoring an oddball task stimulus. In addition, the electroencephalogrammeasurement section detects that the electroencephalogram can bemeasured, and the cognitive function examination data automaticallygenerated is executed upon the detection, and the electroencephalogramat that time can be measured and stored. In addition, the cognitivefunction examination can be implemented with the use of the user'spriority sensory stimulus. As a result, the elderly can easily andcontinuously carry out the cognitive function examinations in dailylife. Also, if the cognitive function reduction has been detected, theexamination result can be notified the user or the watcher of the userconcerned registered in advance of.

Second Embodiment

In the smartphone equipped with the function of the cognitive functionexamination described in the first embodiment, a typical phone usagebehavior of paying attention to who is the caller is at the time ofincoming call, and answering the call after confirming that the calleris an acquaintance according to an incoming image or an incoming voiceis leveraged as an oddball task, and when a call arrives from a watcher,the incoming image or incoming voice generated automatically based onthe oddball task is displayed or reproduced for the user, and theelectroencephalogram P300 of the user induced in response to thedisplayed image or the reproduced voice is measured and analyzed toexamine the cognitive function of the user.

As mentioned above, there are auditory, visual and somatic senses instimulus inducing P300 in the oddball task. In general, there is a sense(predominance sense) that humans use preferentially among those senses,and the sense differs from one person to another. For that reason, theconvenience of the user can be improved by using voice for persons whohave an auditory advantage and images for persons who have a visualadvantage for the oddball tasks, which can expect that the cognitivefunction examinations are implemented more frequently.

It is said that the superiority of the three senses can be understood byanalyzing the predicates (verbs, adjectives, adverbs) of a language thatis usually used. In the present invention, those senses are utilized toanalyze the difference in the priority sense of each individual and toselect the type of stimulus used in the cognitive function examination,such as visual or auditory. More specifically, the predicates areextracted from at least one of contents of a subject's speech andoutgoing mails forwarded by the subject in the past, and a visualsensory predicate usage frequency and an auditory sensory predicateusage frequency indicated in the predicates are calculated. If thevisual sensory predicate usage frequency is large, the visual stimulusis determined to be used as the type of stimulus of the examination datato be presented to the subject, and if the auditory sensory predicateusage frequency is large, the auditory stimulus is determined to be usedas the type of stimulus of the examination data to be presented to thesubject.

In order to analyze the predicates, the predicates are analyzed using atext database for language research called “corpus” available on theInternet, and the superiority of the sense of the user is analyzed.

In the present embodiment, in a device that can use, for example, visualand auditory data in which data of an email or call is analyzed bypaying attention to the predicate to determine the sensory advantage ofthe user, and the type of the sensory data used in the examination isdetermined according to the determination result, there is equipped witha mechanism for determining whether to use a visual image or an auditoryvoice.

(Example of Cognitive Function Analysis Result)

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of a cognitive functionexamination device (smartphone) used in the present embodiment.

A difference from FIG. 1 of the first embodiment resides in that apriority sensory analysis section 1701 is provided inside, whichacquires user data (outgoing mail and call record) related to mails andcalls stored in a memory in an information device (smartphone 1702, PC,or tablet 1703) connected to an external over the network through thecommunication section 116 or on a cloud 1704, and analyzes the prioritysense of the user.

Cases in which individuals have multiple devices such as smartphones,PCs, and tablets are increasing. Along with those cases, in order tochange terminal models and share various data between terminals, casesof uploading information such as emails, address books, images andvoices using cloud services are increasing. In addition, there are casesin which the user's behavior history so far remains, such as a callrecord and a content reproduction history of a smartphone that is nolonger used due to model change. In the present embodiment, in order todetermine the priority sense of the user, those pieces of informationare used.

Incidentally, when the priority sense is analyzed by the predicate(verb, adverb, adjective), the corpus 1705 described above is used.

The processing of the priority sensory analysis section 1701 is executedat the time of initial setting.

The cognitive function examination device 1706 according to the presentembodiment includes the priority sensory analysis section 1701 thatanalyzes the priority sense of the user according to the user data(outgoing mail and call record) related to the mail or the call in theinformation device (1702, 1703) connected to the external through thecommunication section 116 or on the cloud 1704. The other functionalblocks have the same block configurations as those in FIG. 1 .

Incidentally, in the example of FIG. 17 , the corpus 1705 provided onthe Internet is used, but since a general-purpose corpus on the Internettakes time to search for vocabulary, a visual and auditory vocabularyanalysis corpus may be created by using the corpus on the Internet, andthe created corpus may be provided in the device.

Registration of data in the oddball task data storage section 103 may beperformed by extracting data (phone numbers, names, mail addresses,voices, pictures of the watcher) to be registered in the oddball taskdata storage section 103 from data of the address book already recordedin the smartphone, or pictures recorded in an album or data recorded ina call record by the user, or may be performed by using data newlytransmitted from the watcher.

Moreover, data may be registered in the oddball task data storagesection 103 by using data stored in another smartphone or on a cloudconnectable to the network.

(Priority Sensory Analysis Process Flow)

Next, the contents of the priority sensory analysis process executed bythe priority sensory analysis section 1701 which is a feature of thepresent invention will be described with reference to FIG. 18 .

At the initial setting of the present embodiment, the priority sensoryanalysis section 1701 attempts to connect to an external device (1702,1703) or the cloud 1704 through the communication section 116 (Step1801). The priority sensory analysis section 1701 checks whether or notto be connected to the external device or the cloud (Step 1802). If notconnectable (“NO” in Step 1802), the priority sensory analysis section1701 checks if the connection fails N times or more (Step 1803). If theconnection does not fall N times or more (“NO” in Step 1803), thepriority sensory analysis section 1701 attempts to connect to theexternal device or the cloud (Step 1801). If the connection fails Ntimes or more (“YES” in Step 1803), the process is terminated.

The priority sensory analysis section 1701 confirms whether or not to beconnectable (Step 1802), confirms whether or not the user's pastoutgoing mail exists on the connected external device or cloud (“YES” inStep 1802) (Step 1804). If the outgoing mail exists (“YES” in Step1804), the priority sensory analysis section 1701 performs apart-of-speech analysis on the outgoing mail (Step 1805). Then, thepriority sensory analysis section 1701 extracts the predicates (verb,adjective, and adverb) from the result of the part-of-speech analysis(Step 1806).

Next, the priority sensory analysis section 1701 refers to the corpus1705 on the Internet, extracts, from the extracted predicates, thevocabularies that suggest that the user used visual and auditory senses,classifies the vocabularies into visual sensory predicate or auditorysensory predicate, and analyzes the appearance frequency of visualsensory predicate and the appearance frequency of auditory sensorypredicate appearing in the extracted predicates (Step 1807).

In this example, visual sensory predicates include vocabularies such asseeing, projecting, bright, shining, and dazzling. Auditory sensorypredicates include vocabularies such as listening, saying,reverberating, noisy and quiet. The corpus that can be used on theInternet may be used as it is, or dedicated databases for vocabulariesrelated to visual sensory predicates and auditory sensory predicates maybe created using the data of the corpus on the Internet, and thosedatabases may be provided in the device 1706.

Next, the priority sensory analysis section 1701 receives the result ofthe analysis of the appearance frequency of the visual and auditorysensory predicates in Step 1807, and checks whether or not theappearance frequency of the visual sensory predicates is high (Step1808). If high (“YES” in Step 1808), the priority sensory analysissection 1701 sets the cognitive function examination control section 109to the examination by the image, and the process is terminated (Step1809). On the other hand, if the appearance frequency of the visualsensory predicates is not high (“NO” in Step 1808), the priority sensoryanalysis section 1701 sets the cognitive function examination controlsection 109 to the examination by voice (Step 1810), and the process isterminated.

In Step 1804, if there is no past outgoing mail of the user (“NO” inStep 1804), the priority sensory analysis section 1701 checks whether ornot there is a past call voice record (Step 1811). If there is the pastcall voice record (“YES” in Step 1811), the priority sensory analysissection 1701 performs the part-of-speech analysis (Step 1805), andanalyzes the priority sense. Before making a call analysis, there is aneed to convert the part-of-speech into a text. In the conversion intothe text data, text conversion software of the voice on the smartphone1702, a PC or the tablet 1703, and the cloud 1704 in which the voicedata has been recorded may be used. Alternatively, the text conversionsoftware may be installed in the device of the present invention forconversion.

In Step 1811, if there is no past call voice record of the user (“NO” inStep 1811), the priority sensory analysis section 1701 checks whether ornot there is a prepared sentence (Step 1812). If there is a preparedsentence (“YES” in Step 1812), the priority sensory analysis section1701 performs the part-of-speech analysis on the sentence (Step 1805),and analyzes the priority sense. If there is no prepared sentence inStep 1812 (“NO” in Step 1812), the process is terminated. In that case,the priority sensory analysis section 1701 may implement the examinationof the cognitive function by a default stimulus predetermined at thetime of device shipment. The default stimulus may be a visual sensorystimulus or an auditory sensory stimulus.

In this example, in FIG. 18 , the priority sense is analyzed byanalyzing the predicate, but the priority sense may be analyzedaccording to the content reproduction frequency. In other words, thereproduction frequencies of the image content and the voice content arechecked, and if the reproduction frequency of the image content ishigher, the examination by the image is set and the process isterminated. If the voice content reproduction frequency is higher, theexamination by voice is set.

Also, the priority sensory analysis section 1701 may present aquestionnaire for analyzing the priority sense, and analyze an answer ofthe question to determine the priority sense, so as to select the typeof stimulus data used in the cognitive function examination based on thedetermination result.

As described above, the type of stimulus data used in the cognitivefunction examination is set based on the priority sense, but the type ofstimulus data (image or voice) used in the cognitive functionexamination can be automatically changed according to the surroundingsituation. For example, in a situation where the surroundings aredisturbed by making a sound, the visual (image) data is used. Ambientconditions may be manually set by the user, or may be set from locationinformation using information from a GPS or the like.

From the above description, the cognitive function examination device1706 according to the present embodiment is equipped with the prioritysensory analysis section 1701, thereby being capable of implementing theexamination of the cognitive function with the use of the data of thesense preferentially used by the user.

Third Embodiment

A smartphone equipped with the function of the cognitive functionexamination described in the first and second embodiments implements thecognitive function examination by leveraging a scene, a timing, or botha scene and a timing where everyone acts on a daily basis, such as anincoming phone call from the watcher. As a result, early detection ofdementia can be easily performed in daily operation without imposing amental burden on the user, particularly the elderly, who undergoes acognitive function examination.

In the present embodiment, an example in which a cognitive functionexamination is performed in daily operation other than an incoming callwill be described. In addition, the smartphone used by the presentembodiment is assumed to be provided with the configurations describedin FIG. 1 and FIG. 17 .

(Example Pf how to Use Alarm)

FIG. 19 shows an image of how to use a cognitive function examinationusing the operation of an alarm (including an alarm clock and aschedule). The alarm function is executed by the timer 119. The usersets an alarm using an application (for example, an alarm application, ascheduler, and so on) that uses the timer 119.

Upon arrival at a time (or event) set in advance by the user, the timer119 causes an alarm sound to be reproduced or vibrated through the voiceoutput section 117 and notifies the cognitive function examinationcontrol section 109 of this fact (FIG. 19A).

When the user grasps the smartphone and a surface of his hand touchesthe electroencephalogram measurement electrodes 302 and 303 on the backof the smartphone or the electroencephalogram measurement electrodes 306and 307 on the side, the cognitive function examination control section109 detects that the electroencephalogram can be measured by the aid ofthe electroencephalogram measurement section 105 through the electrodes.In addition, the cognitive function examination control section 109creates examination data with the aid of the examination data creationsection 107, and displays the examination data on the display section115 to start the cognitive function examination (FIG. 19B).

In order to turn off the alarm sound, the user views a screen on whichthe examination data created by the examination data creation section107 is displayed on the display section 115 (FIG. 19C). On the screen,an image 1901 such as a pictograph as a standard stimulus for theoddball task and an icon 1902 of a switch OFF as a target are displayedon the screen at random. The icon 1902 of the switch OFF is displayedinfrequently as in the first embodiment. The user pays attention to thedisplay of the switch OFF icon 1902 from a series of displayed screens1903. When the switch OFF icon 1902 is displayed, the user touches theswitch OFF icon 1902 on the screen to turn off the alarm sound (FIG.19D). When the alarm sound is turned off, the timer 119 notifies thecognitive function examination control section 109 of the fact, and thecognitive function examination control section 109 ends the cognitivefunction examination. The method for analyzing signs of dementia usingthe measured results is the same as in the first embodiment.

In addition to the above alarm operations, the cognitive function can beexamined.

Every time the user turns pages with the use of an electronic bookapplication installed on the smartphone of the present invention, acharacter or a pop-up determined in advance is displayed on a page or aspecific page that the user is likely to be interested in (pages of atable of contents, section, chapter, illustrations, or pictures), or thepage is changed with a different color. Then, all or part of theelectroencephalogram during reading from when the book is opened to whenthe book is closed is measured, and P300 of the electroencephalogramwhen the page changes is analyzed. In that case, there is a need to setthe frequency of pages that may be of interest to a certain value orless.

In that case, the image used as a target is a page screen that displaysthe predetermined character or pop-up together, and the image used as astandard is a page screen that does not display the character or pop-up.

In addition, the cognitive function examination is performed from a timewhen the electronic book application is executed on the smartphone andany two of the electroencephalogram measurement electrodes 302, 303,306, and 307 are touched by the hand to an end of the electronic bookapplication.

In addition, when viewing an image content on the smartphone of thepresent embodiment, the image (for example, a title of the content, orthe like) related to the content to be viewed is mixed infrequentlybetween the standard images in the oddball task storage section, whichis not related to the viewing content at the start of reproduction, andreproduced.

Similarly, when changing the content being viewed, the same imagereproduction method is performed immediately after the content change.As described above, the electroencephalogram during viewing when theimage reproduction application in the smartphone is set as describedabove is measured, and P300 of the electroencephalogram when reproducingthe image related to the content to be viewed is analyzed to examine thecognitive function.

In that case, the image used as the target, for example, a title of thecontent that the user is attempting to view, and the image used as thestandard is data in the standard management table stored in the oddballtask data storage section. As the standard, an image stored in anothersmartphone in advance may be used.

In addition, the cognitive function examination is performed from a timewhen any two of the electroencephalogram measurement electrodes 302,303, 306, and 307 are touched with the hand when the contentreproduction application is activated until the content reproduction orcontent change is completed.

In addition, favorite image and voice are registered as wallpaper or astart-up voice at the time of start-up, and the registered image andvoice are reproduced after the image and voice not related to thestartup end. The electroencephalogram at the time of start-up when thestartup processing method in the smartphone is set as described above ismeasured, and P300 of the electroencephalogram when the favoritewallpaper and startup voice are reproduced is analyzed to analyze thecognitive function.

In that case, the image and voice to be used as a target are an imageand voice which have already been set an image as the wallpaper, and theimage and voice to be used as a standard are data in the standardmanagement table stored in the oddball task data storage section. As thestandard, the image and voice that are not registered as favorites andare stored in advance on the smartphone may be used.

In addition, the cognitive function examination is performed until thefavorite wallpaper or start-up voice is displayed or reproduced at theend of start-up after touching any two of the electroencephalogrammeasurement electrodes 302, 303, 306, 307 with the hand at the time ofstart-up of the smartphone.

Also, when measuring with a thermometer or the like, an unrelated screenor voice is displayed or reproduced shortly before the measurementresult is displayed, and then a screen for displaying the result isdisplayed, or a voice for reading the result is reproduced. Theelectroencephalogram during body temperature measurement when a bodytemperature measurement application in the smartphone is set asdescribed above is measured, and P300 of the electroencephalogram whenthe measurement result is displayed or the measurement result is readout is analyzed and examined. The temperature sensor may be used bybeing connected to a smartphone or may be mounted inside.

In that case, the image or voice used as the target is a measurementresult (image or voice) of the body temperature, and the image or voiceused as the standard is data (image or voice) in the standard managementtable stored in the oddball task data storage section 103. The standardmay use images or voices stored in advance in the smartphone.

The cognitive function examination is performed from the time when anytwo of the electroencephalogram measurement electrodes 302, 303, 306,and 307 are touched with the hand at the start of the body temperaturemeasurement until the body temperature measurement result is displayedor reproduced.

Also, as a game, images such as characters are mixed at random at a lowfrequently between images such as symbols and displayed, and when thecharacters appear, the screen is touched or a button provided on thedevice is pressed. The electroencephalogram at the time of playing thisgame by the smartphone is measured, and P300 of the electroencephalogramwhen the characters are displayed on the screen is analyzed to examinethe cognitive function.

As a game, a heterogeneous voice (instrumental voice, human voice, birdcry, vehicle horn, and so on) is mixed at random at a low frequencybetween single voices and reproduced. When the heterogeneous voice isreproduced, a button is pressed, and limbs are moved. Theelectroencephalogram when playing the game on the smartphone ismeasured, and the cognitive function is examined by analyzing the P300of the electroencephalogram when the heterogeneous voice has beenreproduced.

In that case, images such as the characters are used as a target, and animage in the standard management table stored in the oddball task datastorage section is used as a standard. The standard may be an imagestored in advance on the smartphone.

In addition, the cognitive function examination is performed from a timewhen any two of the electroencephalogram measurement electrodes 302,303, 306, and 307 are touched with the hand at the start of the gameuntil the game ends.

Although the application on the smartphone to which the presentinvention can be applied has been mainly described above, the claimedscope of the present invention is not limited to the above description.For example, the same as the smartphone is applied to a fixed phone. Inaddition, the same as during the incoming phone call of the smartphoneaccording to the present invention can be applied to a display functionfor conformation of a visitor such as a door intercom.

Fourth Embodiment

In the embodiments described above, a smartphone-based shape is used asthe cognitive function examination device. In the present embodiment,other shapes and forms will be described below.

First, a functional block diagram of a cognitive function examinationsystem according to the present invention in which theelectroencephalogram measurement section 105 of FIG. 1 is mounted on ameasurement device will be described.

FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram of a cognitive functionexamination system including a cognitive function measurement device andan electroencephalogram measurement device.

FIG. 27 shows a functional block diagram of a system realizing thepresent invention and including a smartphone case (FIG. 20 ), a frame ofglasses or sunglasses (FIG. 21A), headphones (FIG. 22A), a hearing aid(FIGS. 23A and 23B), a mouse (FIG. 24A), a TV remote controller (FIG.25A), which have an electroencephalogram measurement function, and asmartphone (FIG. 21B), a tablet PC (2110), a desktop PC, a notebook PC,an e-book TV main body (2111), a radio main body (2214), which have acognitive function examination function, and so on, for realizing thepresent invention. The mouse is an example of an information inputdevice, and a device associated with the mouse is an informationprocessing device that operates according to operation information inputfrom the mouse, such as a PC.

A main difference from the functional block diagram (FIG. 1 ) accordingto the first embodiment resides in that the electroencephalogrammeasurement section 105 is provided in a measurement device 2703including an external device. Further, the measurement device 2703provided with an electroencephalogram measurement section 2705 is alsoprovided with a communication section 2704, and a cognitive functionexamination device 2701 such as a smartphone and the measurement device2703 provided with the electroencephalogram measurement section 2705 arecooperated with each other through the communication section 2704.

Hereinafter, an example in which a smartphone (FIG. 21B) is used as acognitive function examination device will be described.

Note that a communication between the cognitive function examinationdevice 2701 and the measurement device 2703 including theelectroencephalogram measurement section 2705 may be wired or wireless.

The cognitive function examination system according to the presentinvention includes the cognitive function examination device 2701 andthe measurement device 2703.

The cognitive function examination device 2701 includes a cognitivefunction measurement and determination section 2702, an operationsection 114, a display section 115, a communication section 116, a voiceoutput section 117, a voice input section 118, and a timer 119.

The operation section 114 is used by the user to input an operation tothe cognitive function examination device 2701.

The display section 115 displays an operation screen and variousinformation for the user.

The communication section 116 communicates with external devices throughvarious networks (telephone network, WiFi, Bluetooth, and so on). In thepresent embodiment, the communication section 116 functions as anelectroencephalogram data acquisition section.

The voice output section 117 and the voice input section 118 performvoice output and input through a microphone or a speaker.

The timer 119 measures time such as a clock, an alarm, and a stopwatch.

The cognitive function measurement and determination section 2702includes an oddball task data storage section 103, a callerdetermination section 104, an electroencephalogram data storage section106, an examination data creation section 107, an examination datastorage section 108, a cognitive function examination control section109, and an analysis data storage section 110, a cognitive functionanalysis section 111, an analysis result storage section 112, and acognitive function reduction notification section 113.

The oddball task data storage section 103 is a portion for storing datafor the oddball task.

The oddball task data storage section 103 stores, for example,information about a person (watcher) who watches the user to besubjected to the cognitive function examination, for example,information on watcher's phone number, name, e-mail address, voice, andpictures.

When the caller determination section 104 receives a call or mailthrough the communication section 116, the caller determination section104 determines whether or not the other party is a watcher registered inthe oddball task data storage section 103.

The electroencephalogram data storage section 106 records theelectroencephalogram measured by the measurement device 2703.

The examination data creation section 107 automatically generates datafor cognitive function examination with the use of the watcher's voiceand pictures stored in the oddball task data storage section 103, imagessuch as pictograms and ringtones recorded in the smartphone in advance,and so on.

The examination data storage section 108 stores the examination datacreated by the examination data creation section 107.

The cognitive function examination control section 109 detects that apotential is detected from the electrodes in the measurement device 2703and the electroencephalogram can be measured, starts the examinationwith the use of the examination data stored in the examination datastorage section 108, and records the measured electroencephalogram inthe electroencephalogram data storage section 106. In addition, thecognitive function examination control section 109 controls all partsconfiguring the cognitive function measurement and determination section2702.

The analysis data storage section 110 stores data for analyzing andevaluating the cognitive function.

The cognitive function analysis section 111 analyzes theelectroencephalogram measurement result recorded in theelectroencephalogram data storage section 106, and compares the analyzedresult with the data of the analysis data storage section 110 which iscalculated in advance, to thereby perform the cognitive analysis.

The analysis result storage section 112 records the analysis result ofthe cognitive function analysis section 111.

When a reduction in the cognitive function is detected, and a sign ofdementia is detected in the cognitive function analysis section 111, thecognitive function reduction notification section 113 notifies thewatcher registered in advance in the oddball task data storage section103 of the detection of the sign.

In this example, the watcher registered in the oddball task data storagesection 103 is a person who casually watches the life and health of theuser (elderly person) subjected to the cognitive function examination,for example, the user's family or care manager. With the use of thecognitive function examination device 2701 (smartphone), the watcher canwatch the state of the cognitive function in the daily life of the user(elderly person) even from a remote place.

The data to be registered in the oddball task data storage section 103may be existing address book data (phone number, name, address, e-mailaddress, etc.) of the smartphone, pictures recorded in an internalmemory or an SD card, data (phone number, name, e-mail address, voice,pictures) recording in a call record, or data newly sent from thewatcher and registered.

The measurement device 2703 includes the communication section 2704 andthe electroencephalogram measurement section 2705.

The communication section 2704 communicates with external devicesthrough various networks (WiFi, Bluetooth, and so on).

The electroencephalogram measurement section 2705 measures theelectroencephalogram of the user to be subjected to the cognitivefunction examination.

As described above, in the cognitive function examination systemaccording to the present embodiment, the cognitive function examinationdevice 2701 includes, for example, a smartphone (FIG. 21B), a tablet PC2110, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, an electronic book, a TV main body2111, a radio main body 2214, and the like. The measurement device 2703includes a smartphone case (FIG. 20A, FIG. 20B, FIG. 20C), a glasses orsunglasses frame (FIG. 21A), headphones (FIG. 22A), a hearing aid (FIGS.23A and 23B), a mouse (FIG. 24A), a TV remote controller (hereinafterreferred to as TV remote controller: FIG. 25A), and so on.

In the cognitive function examination system according to the presentembodiment, hardware configuring the cognitive function examination anddetermination section 102 described in FIG. 2 , for example, anelectroencephalogram measurement electrode 221, a signal processingdevice 222, an ADC 223, a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, and a storagedevice 214 are mounted on either the cognitive function examinationdevice 2701 or the measurement device 2703. The communication module 227is mounted on both those devices.

However, the cognitive function examination device 2701 and themeasurement device 2703 configuring the cognitive function examinationsystem according to the present embodiment are not limited to thedevices described above. Further, a communication between the cognitivefunction examination device and the electroencephalogram measurementdevice may be wireless or wired.

Hereinafter, functional blocks and hardware configurations will bedescribed for each implementation example.

(Example of Smartphone Case)

FIG. 20 shows an example in which the electroencephalogram measurementsection 2705 is mounted on a smartphone case. Portions other than theelectroencephalogram measurement section 2705 in FIG. 1 are provided inthe smartphone.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C show a back surface, a side surface, and a frontsurface of the smartphone case, respectively.

The smartphone case (back surface 2001, left-side surface 2007,right-side surface 2008, front surface 2015) includeselectroencephalogram measurement electrodes (electrodes 2002 and 2003installed on the back surface, electrodes 2009 and 2010 installed on theside surface) and a signal processing device 222, an ADC 223, and acommunication module 227 for transmitting the detected potential. Thecommunication module 227 is a wireless communication module.

The signal processing device 222, the ADC 223, and the communicationmodule 227 that transmits the detected potential are mounted on the backsurface (reference numeral 2006). However, the mounting location is notlimited to the position of 2006.

The electroencephalogram measurement electrodes are mounted withelectrodes 2002 and 2003 at two locations on the back surface 2001 ofthe smartphone case. In addition, electrodes 2009 and 2010 are mountedat two locations on the left-side surface 2007 and the right-sidesurface 2008.

The electroencephalogram measurement electrodes at the above fourlocations, that is, the electrodes 2002 and 2003 disposed to the backsurface, and the electrodes 2009 and 2010 disposed on the left and rightsides can be combined according to a detection status of the potential(two electrodes are required for measurement in with bipolar induction).

Furthermore, a light is provided on the rear surface 2001, the left-sidesurface 2007, the right-side surface 2008, and the front surface 2015 ofthe smartphone case so as to border the electrodes. The figure showslights 2004 and 2005 installed on the back surface, lights 2011, 2012,2013 and 2014 installed on the side surfaces, and lights 2016 and 2017installed on the front surface. Lights can have color variations. Lightis illuminated with incoming, and clarifies the positions of theelectroencephalogram measurement electrodes (the electrodes 2002 and2003 disposed to the back surface, the electrodes 2010 and 2009 disposedon the right-side surface 2008 and the left-side surface 2007). Inaddition, since the location of the electroencephalogram measurementelectrode can be shown in an easy-to-understand manner even in the darkdue to lighting, the user can assume portions where theelectroencephalogram measurement electrodes are disposed, that is, theelectrodes 2002 and 2003 located on the side surfaces or the electrodes2009 and 2010 located on the back surface. Also, since the lights 2004and 2005 installed on the back surface, the lights 2011, 2012, 2013, and2014 installed on the side surfaces, and the lights 2016 and 2017installed on the front surface are mounted on the back surface 2001, theleft-side surface 2007, the right-side surface 2008, and the frontsurface 2015 of the smartphone, accurately notify the user can benotified accurately of the incoming call and the location of theelectrodes regardless of the state of the smartphone.

FIG. 20D is a view of the smartphone case (back surface 2001, right-sidesurface 2008, left-side surface 2007, front surface 2015) mounted on thesmartphone 2018 and viewed from the front surface.

In the cognitive function examination system with the smartphone 2018and the smartphone case (back surface 2001, right-side surface 2008,left-side surface 2007, front surface 2015), the alarm, the e-book pageturning, the image content reproduction, the smartphone start-upprocess, the temperature measurement, and the game shown in the thirdembodiment can be implemented.

(Example of Glasses Frame)

FIG. 21A shows an example in which the electroencephalogram measurementsection 105 in the cognitive function examination device 101 accordingto the present invention is mounted on a frame 2101 of glasses orsunglasses.

In the following description, glasses will be described as an example.The glasses equipped with the electroencephalogram measurement section2705 includes electrodes (2102, 2103, 2104, 2105) and a signalprocessing device 222 for measuring the electroencephalogram, an ADC223, and a communication module 227 that transmits a detected potentialwirelessly, in the frame 2101.

In this example, the four electrodes on the glasses frame can be used incombination as bipolar electrodes depending on a contact state with thebody at the time of wearing. The electroencephalogram can be measuredwhen at least two places are in contact with the body. The fourelectrodes (2102, 2103, 2104, 2105) can measure the electroencephalogramof up to 3 channels (for example, 1 channel with 2102 and 2103, 1channel with 2104 and 2105, 1 channel with 2102 and 2104 or 2105 incombination). In order to measure the electroencephalogram of threechannels, there is a need to bring all the electrodes in contact withthe body.

Since AD has been known to deteriorate from a temporal lobe, measurementis performed with priority given to the combination of the electrodes2102 and 2103 or the combination of electrodes 2104 and 2105.Alternatively, priority is given to measurement results obtained bycombinations thereof. The signal processing device 222, the ADC 223, andthe communication module 227 that wirelessly transmits the detectedpotential are provided at end portions of the frame (2106, 2107). Theimplementation locations of the signal processing device 222, the ADC223, and the communication module 227 are not limited to the endportions 2106 and 2107.

The measured electroencephalogram potential is signal-processed andamplified, converted into a digital signal, transferred to thesmartphone 2109 previously paired, and processed. If potentials are notdetected by all the electrodes depending on how the glasses are worn, awarning is issued on the screen of the smartphone 2109 to notify theuser of this fact. A small battery 2108 provided in the frame 2101 isused for supplying electricity.

As the cognitive function examination device that cooperates with theframe 2101, in addition to the smartphone, for example, an e-book, atablet PC 2110, TV, and a PC are applied.

FIG. 21C shows an example of the tablet PC 2110 that cooperates with theframe 2101, and FIG. 21D shows an example of the TV set (TV main body2111 and remote controller 2112) that cooperates with the frame 2101.The TV set includes the TV main body 2111 and the remote controller2112.

In the cognitive function examination system including the frame 2101and the smartphone 2109, the e-book, the tablet PC 2110, the TV set (TVmain body 2111, remote control 2112), the PC (desktop PC, notebook PC,etc., not shown), the alarm, electronic book page turning, image contentreproduction, start-up processing, temperature measurement, and gameshown in the embodiment can be implemented.

(Example of Headphones)

FIG. 22 shows an example in which the electroencephalogram measurementsection 105 in the cognitive function examination device 101 accordingto the present invention is mounted on the headphones. A headband 2201of the headphones is provided with electroencephalogram measurementelectrodes (2202, 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206). Ear pads (2207, 2208) arealso provided with electrodes 2209. A cloth type electrode is used forthe electrodes of the ear pads (2207, 2208). With the placement of alarge number of electrodes, the electroencephalogram can be measuredover a wide range of the head. A signal processing device, a potentialamplifier, an analog-digital converter, and a wireless module areprovided in both housings (2210, 2211) (for example, mounted on aportion 2212. Similarly mounted on a housing 2211).

The detected potential is processed by the signal processing devices222, ADCs 223 provided in the housings (2210, 2211), and transmitted tothe smartphone 2109 from the communication modules provided in thehousings (2210, 2211).

In order to simultaneously measure the electroencephalogram of multiplechannels, a buffer memory may be provided on the headphone side, and themeasured electroencephalogram may be buffered and then transmitted tothe smartphone 2109.

In the headphone of FIG. 22A, the electrode used at the time ofmeasurement can be selected according to the method of detecting thepotential of the electroencephalogram.

Both unipolar and bipolar induction can be performed.

In the unipolar induction, the electrodes 2209 and 2212 coming incontact with earlobes are set as reference potentials, and can becombined with the five electrodes attached to the head band. In thatcase, the electroencephalograms of up to 5 channels can be measured(combination of 2209 and any of 2202, 2203, 2204, 2205, and 2206).

In the bipolar induction, the electroencephalogram of up to 4 channelscan be measured (1 channel by combination of 2202 and 2203, 1 channel bycombination of 2203 and 2204, 1 channel by combination of 2204 and 2205,and 1 channel by combination of 2205 and 2206).

In the headphone, the electroencephalogram measurement can be performedfor the multiple channels with the combination of the two electrodes asdescribed above. The electroencephalogram is measured using twoelectrodes with excellent potential detection.

As described above, the headphone can measure the electroencephalogramof up to five channels from a combination of the multiple electrodeswhose potentials are detected.

Since AD has been known to deteriorate from the parietal lobe, priorityis given to measurement of the electroencephalogram from 2203, 2204, and2205 electrodes. In other words, the measurement of the combination of2203 and 2204 and the combination of 2204 and 2205, or the measurementof the combination of the electrodes 2209 and any of 2203, 2204, and2005 is given priority. In addition, the measurement results at thattime are given priority for use in examinations.

Similarly, the electrode 2209 of the pad 2207 portion may be provided in2208 as well.

In this case, whether the electrode 2209 is used as the referenceelectrode or the electrode on the 2208 side is used as the referenceelectrode can be selected according to the mounting state. In additionto the smartphone, the cognitive function examination device linked withthe headphones (FIG. 22A) includes, for example, the radio (radio mainbody 2214, remote controller 2215), the tablet PC 2110, the TV set (TVmain body 2111, remote controller 2112), and the PC shown in FIG. 22B.

Even in the cognitive function examination system using the headphones,the alarm, the electronic book page turning, the image contentreproduction, the startup processing, the temperature measurement, andthe game shown in the third embodiment can be implemented.

(Example of Hearing Aid)

FIG. 23 shows an example in which the electroencephalogram measurementdevice 2703 according to the present invention is mounted on a hearingaid.

In addition to the smartphones, devices capable of cooperating with thehearing aid of FIG. 23 include a radio set (radio main body 2214, remotecontroller 2215), a TV set (TV main body 2111, remote control 2112), atablet PC 2110, a PC, and the like.

FIG. 23A shows a surface of an ear-mounted hearing aid 2301 on which theelectroencephalogram measurement section 2705 is mounted. FIG. 23B is arear view of the ear-mounted hearing aid 2301. FIG. 23A is a diagramwhen the ear-mounted hearing aid 2301 is worn. The ear-mounted hearingaid 2301 is used by putting a device on the ear ring portion.

The ear-mounted hearing aid 2301 includes a hearing aid main body 2302and an ear mold 2303.

Electroencephalogram measurement electrodes (2304, 2305) are provided onthe back surface of the ear-mounted hearing aid main body (in contactwith the head). The hearing aid main body 2302 includes a signalprocessing device 222 that processes and amplifies the detectedpotential, an ADC 223, and a communication module 227 (those componentsare mounted on the hearing aid main body 2302. For example, thosecomponents are mounted on the portion 2306).

One-channel electroencephalogram can be measured by bipolar inductionusing two electrodes (2304, 2305).

The hearing aid is to in some cases to be used in pairs, or to be usedon only one side. When used as a pair, the electrode to be used at thetime of measurement may be selected depending on the state of potentialdetection. When paired, the electroencephalogram of up to 2 channels canbe measured at maximum.

FIG. 23C shows an example of wearing the ear-mounted hearing aid. Theear-mounted hearing aid 2301 may be used on one side or in a pair, buteven when only one side is used, the electroencephalogram is measuredand the measurement result is transmitted to a paired smartphone inadvance. Also, in the cognitive function examination system in which theear-mounted hearing aid 2301 is cooperated with a smartphone or thelike, the alarm, the image content reproduction, the startup processing,the temperature measurement, and the game shown in the third embodimentcan be implemented.

(Example of Mouse)

FIGS. 24A and 24B show an example in which the electroencephalogrammeasurement section 2705 in the electroencephalogram measurement device2703 according to the present invention is mounted on the wireless mouse2401. The mouse may be wireless or wired. Hereinafter, the wirelessmouse 2401 will be described as an example.

As shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the electroencephalogram measurementelectrodes (2402, 2403) are disposed on the surface of the wirelessmouse 2401 so as to be firmly in contact with two places on the innerskin of the hand during PC operation.

(Example in which Electroencephalogram Measurement Section 105 isMounted on TV Remote Controller 2501)

In the TV remote controller (FIGS. 25A and 25B) 2501 in which theelectroencephalogram measurement section 2705 is mounted, theelectroencephalogram measurement electrodes (2502, 2503, 2504, 2505) aredisposed at locations where the hand is likely to come in contact withthe electroencephalogram measurement electrodes at the time of using theTV remote controller. The electroencephalogram is measured (measured bybipolar induction) by detecting the potential from the two electrodes(any combination of 2502, 2503, 2504, and 2505) which are in contactwith the hand during remote control operation.

The TV remote controller 2501 cooperates with the TV main body operatedby the remote controller. Specifically, the measured potential of theelectroencephalogram is signal-processed and amplified, converted into adigital signal, transferred to a TV main body that has been paired inadvance, and processed.

If no potential is detected by the electroencephalogram measurementelectrodes 2502, 2503, 2504, and 2505 depending on how the TV remotecontroller 2501 is held, a warning is given to the TV main body screento notify the user of this fact.

In the cognitive function examination system including the TV remotecontroller 2501 and the TV main body, the alarm, the image contentreproduction, and the game shown in the third embodiment can beimplemented.

(Example of Small Robot)

FIG. 26 shows an example in which the cognitive function examinationdevice 101 according to the present invention is mounted on a smallinteractive robot 2601.

FIG. 26A shows a configuration of the robot 2601, and FIG. 26B shows anexample of measuring an electroencephalogram with the use of the robot2601. A head 2602 of the robot 2601 is provided withelectroencephalogram measurement electrodes 2603 and 2604. The robot2601 has a built-in control device made up of hardware such as a CPU,and the control device functions as a cognitive function examinationdevice.

A portion (reference numeral 2605) in which the electroencephalogrammeasurement electrodes are mounted is three-dimensional and easy tohandle. The electroencephalogram measurement electrodes 2603 and 2604are mounted on the surface of the three-dimensional portion (referencenumeral 2605). The electroencephalogram potential is measured withbipolar induction. The installed electrodes are not limited to twoelectrodes. The electrodes are disposed so as to easily act as aninterface (the hand is placed on the electrodes in a motion of strokingthe child's head). The electrodes are disposed in a place where the usercan enjoy the operation without feeling discomfort in daily life.

In front of the head 2602 of the robot 2601, a display 2606 foroperation and display, voice reproduction speakers (2607, 2608), amicrophone 2609 for collecting voice from the user, and a small camera2610 for identifying the user are provided.

When the hand is placed on the three-dimensional part 2605 of the head2602, the electroencephalogram potential is detected, and an oddballtask is displayed on the display 2606 that displays the expression ofthe robot 2601. Alternatively, a voice for the oddball task isreproduced from the speakers (2607, 2608). The speakers (2607, 2608) areprovided in two places on the left and right sides of the display 2606for the operation and display in order to present a task for determiningthe directionality of the voice. In addition, the microphone 2609 ismounted below the display 2606. The location of the microphone orspeaker is an example, and the present invention is not limited to theabove configuration.

FIG. 26B shows an operation at the time of measuring anelectroencephalogram. The hand is placed on the electroencephalogrammeasurement electrodes 2603 and 2604 of the head 2602 of the robot 2601,to thereby detect the potential of the electroencephalogram from theskin of the hand and start the measurement. The hand is kept to beplaced on the electroencephalogram measurement electrodes 2603 and 2604during the execution of the oddball task.

While the robot is talking to the user, the hand may be guided so as tobe placed on the head electrodes when performing the oddball task whenreceiving an incoming call or playing a game.

In the small robot 2601, the alarm, the electronic book page turning,the image content reproduction, the startup processing, the temperaturemeasurement, and the game shown in the third embodiment can beperformed.

Fifth Embodiment

In a fifth embodiment, an example of services leveraging cognitivefunction examination device with the use of an electroencephalographictechnique according to the above embodiments will be described.

(Application Example to Watch or Prevention Service and Medical Service)

FIG. 28 shows an overview of the watch or prevention service and themedical service. The users of this service are a person who receives theservice related to the monitoring, maintenance, and improvement of thestate of cognitive function (hereinafter referred to as a person 2801)and his family 2802. There are two purposes of the service provided bythe cognitive function examination device of the present invention.

The first purpose is to measure the cognitive function of a healthyperson who has not developed dementia, thereby being capable of equippedwith measures for founding a reduction in the cognitive function earlyand preventing the onset of dementia in advance. Medical practice thattakes measures before the onset of the disease is called preemptivemedicine and is included in medical practice. Today, in preemptivemedicine, with the utilization of not only the data measured by thecognitive function examination device according to the present inventionbut also big data including genetic data and lifestyle habits, thediscovery of new knowledge on the cause of disease and improvement itemsis expected.

Another purpose is to regularly measure the cognitive function toobserve the course of symptoms, the measurement of treatment, and thecourse of treatment when cognitive function reduction is observed orwhen dementia is affected.

The watch or prevention service is provided to achieve the formerpurpose. The watch or prevention service includes a dementia preventionservice company 2803, the person 2801 who receives the service, and hisfamily 2802. In some situations, a care service organization 2804 isadded to this configuration.

The person 2801 and his family 2802 (both, or only the person or onlythe family) join the dementia prevention service company 2803 thatmonitors the state of cognitive function and checks whether or not thereis any abnormality in the cognitive function based on the measurementresult of cognitive function. Furthermore, the person 2801 and hisfamily 2802 join the care service organization 2804 as necessary. Aservice fee with respect to the dementia prevention service company maybe paid by the person 2801 or family 2802. The family 2802 is positionedto watch over the person 2801. Whether the person 2801 is being watchedmay or may not be known.

The dementia prevention service company 2803 collects data measured fromthe cognitive function examination device of the present invention andanalyzes the data to grasp the state of the cognitive function of theperson 2801, and provides analysis results and advice to the person 2801or his family 2802. The dementia prevention service company 2803consults with the person 2801 or his family 2802 and gives answers.

When the person 2801 is a member of the care service organization 2804,the care service organization 2804 obtains the permission of the person2801 or his family 2802 and sends data or information such as the dailylife of the person 2801 to the dementia prevention service company 2803,and can receive advice on nursing care of the person 2801. In addition,if necessary, consultation on measures for preventing dementia and thelike can be made, and an answer to the consultation can be obtained fromthe dementia prevention service company 2803.

The care service organization 2804 provides a care service to the person2801 based on advice obtained from the dementia prevention servicecompany 2803. For example, if daily exercise and recreation help animprovement in the cognitive function, such care services areimplemented. Further, in order to confirm the effect on the cognitivefunction following the implemented services, the results of themeasurement of the cognitive function in cognitive function examinationdevice according to the present invention are provided to the dementiaprevention service company 2803, and the information on the results isalso provided to his family. If the person does not have a family, or ifthe person wishes, the information may be provided directly to theperson 2801.

The care service organization 2804 can also receive a specific requestfor the contents of the care service from the family by providing thefamily 2802 with daily information on the person 2801.

The above description is given of an example in which the cognitivefunction examination device and the cognitive function examinationsystem according to the present invention are applied to the watchservice. (This example corresponds to a right-side of a dashed line ofFIG. 28 ).

Next, a medical service is provided to achieve the latter purpose. Themedical service is provided by a dementia prevention service company2803, and a medical institution 2805 that conducts examinations andtreatments for dementia and its early stage mild cognitive impairmentand cognitively impaired healthy persons. In some situations, the careservice organization 2804 is added to this configuration.

The dementia prevention service company 2803 and the medical institution2805 share the information about the person with the consent of theperson 2801 and his family 2802 and provide the services. The person2801 and his family 2802 (both or only the person or only the family)join the dementia prevention service company 2803 that provides adviceto the person 2801 and their family 2802 in cooperation with the medicalinstitution 2805 when an abnormality is recognized in the cognitivefunction.

The medical institution 2805 performs a close examination and diagnoseswhen the cognitive function reduction is observed. In addition, measuresfor treatment and prevention will be implemented according to thediagnosis results.

The watch service described above is a service when the reduction of thecognitive function which is a main problem is not observed. The watchservice detects a reduction in the cognitive function, and starts acooperation with the medical institution 2805 only when an abnormalityhas been detected. The watch service is a screening orientation and isnot intended to perform diagnostic. However, when a reduction in thecognitive function is detected and has not yet reached a stage ofdementia, measures are actively taken in cooperation with the medicalinstitution 2805.

The dementia prevention service company 2803 implements an appropriateservice for members of the service (person 2801 and his family 2802)based on the enormous amount of data that has been acquired from themembers. However, medical practices are implemented in cooperation withmedical institution 2805.

The dementia prevention service company 2803 collects data about theeffects on the medical practice and the provided service, generatehypotheses about a mechanism and the measures of developing dementiathat has not yet been elucidated from analysis of the data, and canprovide the hypotheses to the medical institutions 2805. Today, AI istaking on the role of big data analysis, and it is expected to discovernew knowledge and generate hypotheses.

The medical institution 2805 determines diagnostic, measures andtreatment based on the analysis results of enormous data and informationby the AI.

The knowledge obtained from the analysis results of the data andinformation can be directly provided to the members (the person 2801 andhis family 2802) as long as the knowledge falls outside the scope ofmedical practice. The medical institution 2805 provides the medicalpractice. A boundary between the medical practice and the non-medicalpractice varies depending on the scope of medical practice for dementiaand is not clear. This is because the range of medical practice maychange over time.

Another application example of the cognitive function examination deviceaccording to the present invention is a vehicle driving ability (basedon the cognitive function) examination or periodic monitoring servicemainly for elderly people. For example, there is a need to periodicallyconfirm the reaction to the stimulus and the ability to determine thesituation other than when updating the driver's license of the elderlyperson.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   101: cognitive function examination device    -   102: cognitive function measurement and determination section    -   103: oddball task data storage section    -   104: caller determination section    -   105: electroencephalogram measurement section    -   106: electroencephalogram data storage section    -   107: examination data creation section    -   108: examination data storage section    -   109: cognitive function examination control section    -   110: analysis data storage section    -   111: cognitive function analysis section    -   112: analysis result storage section    -   113: cognitive function reduction notification section

1. An electroencephalogram data analysis system comprising: ameasurement section that outputs electroencephalogram data of a subject;and an analysis section that analyzes the electroencephalogram data,wherein the measurement section includes: an electroencephalogram dataacquisition section for acquiring the electroencephalogram data; and acommunication section that transmits the electroencephalogram dataacquired by the electroencephalogram data acquisition section, theanalysis section includes: an electroencephalogram examination controlsection that presents to the subject examination data used for anelectroencephalogram measurement examination of the subject at a time ofexecuting an operation having a purpose different from that of theelectroencephalogram measurement; and an electroencephalogram analysissection that extracts and analyzes a potential waveform occurring inrelation to occurrence of an event of the subject from theelectroencephalogram data of the subject from the measurement sectionwhen presenting the examination data, the measurement section comprisesan information input device provided with the electroencephalogram dataacquisition section, and the analysis section comprises an informationprocessing device that operates according to operation information inputfrom the information input device.
 2. The electroencephalogram dataanalysis system according to claim 1, wherein the examination data hasfirst data related to the subject and second data different from thefirst data, and a frequency of presentation of the first data isdifferent from that of the second data.
 3. The electroencephalogram dataanalysis system according to claim 1, wherein the potential waveformoccurring in relation to occurrence of an event is a time since a peakof a third waveform of an event-related potential in a positivedirection is presented till the peak appears.
 4. Theelectroencephalogram data analysis system according to claim 1, whereinthe time of executing an operation having a purpose different from thatof the electroencephalogram measurement for the subject is a time ofreceiving an incoming call.
 5. The electroencephalogram data analysissystem according to claim 1, wherein a frequency of presentation of theexamination data can be set at any frequency, and the analysis sectionfurther includes an examination data creation section configured to setthe frequency of presentation.
 6. The electroencephalogram data analysissystem according to claim 1, wherein the analysis section furtherincludes a notification section configured to notify at least a personother than the subject of a result made by the electroencephalogramanalysis section.
 7. The electroencephalogram data analysis systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the measurement section is glasses orsunglasses provided with the electroencephalogram data acquisitionsection.
 8. The electroencephalogram data analysis system according toclaim 1, wherein the measurement section is a headphone provided withthe electroencephalogram data acquisition section.
 9. Theelectroencephalogram data analysis system according to claim 1, whereinthe measurement section is a hearing aid provided with theelectroencephalogram data acquisition section.
 10. An informationprocessing terminal comprising: a housing; a screen that is provided ona front surface of the housing; and an electroencephalogram dataacquisition section for acquiring electroencephalogram data of asubject, wherein an inside of the housing is provided with: anelectroencephalogram examination control section that presents to thesubject examination data used for an electroencephalogram measurementexamination of the subject at a time of executing an operation having apurpose different from that of the electroencephalogram measurement; anelectroencephalogram analysis section that extracts and analyzes apotential waveform occurring in relation to occurrence of an event ofthe subject from the electroencephalogram data of the subject acquiredby the electroencephalogram data acquisition section when recognizingthe examination data; a call section; and a task data storage sectionthat stores data of a face image of a caller, and when the call sectionreceives an incoming call, the electroencephalogram examination controlsection displays an image based on the examination data including thedata of the face image of the incoming caller on the screen.
 11. Aninformation processing terminal comprising: a housing; a screen that isprovided on a front surface of the housing; a speaker that outputs avoice; and an electroencephalogram data acquisition section foracquiring the electroencephalogram data, wherein an inside of thehousing is provided with: an electroencephalogram examination controlsection that presents to the subject examination data used for anelectroencephalogram measurement examination of the subject at a time ofexecuting an operation having a purpose different from that of theelectroencephalogram measurement; an electroencephalogram analysissection that extracts and analyzes a potential waveform occurring inrelation to occurrence of an event of the subject from theelectroencephalogram data of the subject acquired by theelectroencephalogram data acquisition section when presenting theexamination data; a call section; and a data storage section that storesvoice data related to a caller, and when the call section receives anincoming call, the electroencephalogram examination control sectionoutputs the voice based on the examination data including the voice datarelated to the incoming caller to the speaker.
 12. The informationprocessing terminal according to claim 10, wherein the task data storagesection further stores a non-face image different from the face image,and the electroencephalogram examination control section presentsexamination data in which the number of times of display of the non-faceimage is more than the number of times of display of the face image. 13.The information processing terminal according to claim 10, wherein theelectroencephalogram data acquisition section comprises at least oneelectroencephalogram detection sensor disposed on at least one of a sidesurface, a back surface, and a front surface or any combination of themof the housing.
 14. The information processing terminal according toclaim 10, wherein the electroencephalogram data acquisition section is acommunication section that receives the electroencephalogram datatransmitted from another device different from the informationprocessing terminal via wireless network.
 15. The information processingterminal according to claim 10, wherein the examination data has firstdata related to the subject and second data different from the firstdata, and a frequency of presentation of the first data is differentfrom that of the second data.
 16. An electronic device including ahousing and a screen provided on a front surface of the housing,comprising at least one electroencephalogram measurement electrode thatis provided on at least one of side surfaces, a back surface, and afront surface or any combination of them of the housing, wherein aninside of the housing is provided with a control device that presentsexamination data used for an electroencephalogram measurementexamination of the subject at a time of executing an operation having apurpose different from that of the electroencephalogram measurement bythe subject, and extracts and analyzes a potential waveform occurring inrelation to occurrence of an event of the subject from theelectroencephalogram data of the subject when the examination data ispresented.
 17. An electronic device that acquires and analyzeselectroencephalogram data of a subject, comprising: anelectroencephalogram examination control section that presents to thesubject examination data used for an electroencephalogram measurementexamination of the subject at a time of executing an operation having apurpose different from that of an electroencephalogram measurement; andan electroencephalogram analysis section that extracts a potentialwaveform occurring in relation to occurrence of an event of the subjectfrom the electroencephalogram data of the subject measured whenpresenting the examination data, wherein the electronic device furthercomprises a notification section that notifies a person concerned of thesubject registered in advance of a result of comparison when the resultof comparison of the electroencephalogram analysis section satisfies apredetermined notification criterion.
 18. An electronic device thatacquires and analyzes electroencephalogram data of a subject,comprising: an electroencephalogram examination control section thatpresents to the subject examination data used for anelectroencephalogram measurement examination of the subject at a time ofexecuting an operation having a purpose different from that of anelectroencephalogram measurement; and an electroencephalogram analysissection that extracts and analyzes a potential waveform occurring inrelation to occurrence of an event of the subject from theelectroencephalogram data of the subject measured when presenting theexamination data, wherein the electronic device further comprises apriority sensory analysis section that extracts a predicate included inat least one of utterance contents and outgoing mails which areperformed by the subject in the past, calculates a frequency of use ofvisual expressions and a frequency of use of auditory expressionsindicated in the predicate, determines the use of a visual stimulus as atype of stimulus of the examination data to be presented to the subjectwhen the frequency of use of the visual expressions is more, anddetermines the use of an auditory stimulus as the type of stimulus ofthe examination data to be presented to the subject when the frequencyof use of the auditory expressions is more.
 19. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein the examination data has first datarelated to the subject and second data different from the first data,and a frequency of presentation of the first data is different from thatof the second data.
 20. The electronic device according to claim 16,wherein the time of executing an operation having a purpose differentfrom that of the electroencephalogram measurement for the subject is atime of receiving an incoming call.
 21. The electronic device accordingto claim 17, further comprising an analysis data storage section thatstores electroencephalogram analysis data calculated in advance forcomparison with the electroencephalogram data of the subject, whereinthe electroencephalogram analysis section outputs a comparison result ofa potential waveform occurring in relation to occurrence of an event ofthe subject extracted from the electroencephalogram data and theelectroencephalogram analysis data.
 22. A presentation device forpresenting information for an electroencephalogram analysis examinationto be executed by an electronic device having a screen and a callfunction, the presentation device comprising: an incoming call sectionfor receiving a call; and a presentation section for presentinginformation on a caller of the call at random as information for theelectroencephalogram analysis examination during execution of anoperation for notifying a user of the electronic device of an incomingcall.
 23. The presentation device for presenting information for anelectroencephalogram analysis examination according to claim 22, whereinthe information on the caller of the call is a face image of the caller,the information for the electroencephalogram analysis examinationincludes the face image and an image other than the face image, and thepresentation section displays the information for theelectroencephalogram analysis examination on the screen to cause anappearance frequency of the face image to be lower than the appearancefrequency of the image other than the face image during execution of theoperation for notifying the user of the electronic device of theincoming call.
 24. The presentation device for presenting informationfor an electroencephalogram analysis examination according to claim 22,wherein the electronic device comprises a speaker, the information onthe caller of the call is a voice reading a name of the caller, theinformation for the electroencephalogram analysis examination is thevoice and a predetermined ringtone, and the presentation section outputsthe information for the electroencephalogram analysis examination fromthe speaker of the electronic device to cause an appearance frequency ofthe voice to be lower than the appearance frequency of the predeterminedringtone during execution of the operation for notifying the user of theelectronic device of the incoming call.
 25. The presentation device forpresenting information for an electroencephalogram analysis examinationaccording to claim 22, wherein the information for anelectroencephalogram analysis examination has first data related to theuser of the electronic device and second data different from the firstdata, and a frequency of presentation of the first data is differentfrom that of the second data.
 26. An electroencephalogram data analysissystem comprising: a measurement section that outputselectroencephalogram data of a subject; and an analysis section thatanalyzes the electroencephalogram data, wherein the measurement sectionincludes: an electroencephalogram data acquisition section for acquiringthe electroencephalogram data; and a communication section thatwirelessly transmits the electroencephalogram data acquired by theelectroencephalogram data acquisition section, the analysis sectionincludes: an electroencephalogram function examination control sectionthat presents to the subject examination data used for anelectroencephalogram measurement examination of the subject at a time ofexecuting an operation having a purpose different from that of theelectroencephalogram measurement; and an electroencephalogram analysissection that extracts and analyzes a potential waveform occurring inrelation to occurrence of an event of the subject from theelectroencephalogram data of the subject from the measurement sectionwhen presenting the examination data, the measurement device comprises acase that houses an information processing terminal including a housingand a screen provided on a front surface of the housing, theelectroencephalogram data acquisition section includes anelectroencephalogram detection sensor, at least one of theelectroencephalogram detection sensors is disposed on a back surface ora side surface of the case, which is located on an opposite side to thescreen in a state of housing the information processing terminal, andthe analysis section comprises the information processing terminal. 27.An electroencephalogram data analysis system comprising: a measurementsection that outputs electroencephalogram data of a subject; and ananalysis section that analyzes the electroencephalogram data, whereinthe measurement section includes: an electroencephalogram dataacquisition section for acquiring the electroencephalogram data; and acommunication section that wirelessly transmits the electroencephalogramdata acquired by the electroencephalogram data acquisition section, theanalysis section includes: an electroencephalogram examination controlsection that presents to the subject examination data used for anelectroencephalogram measurement examination of the subject at a time ofexecuting an operation having a purpose different from that of theelectroencephalogram measurement; and an electroencephalogram analysissection that extracts and analyzes a potential waveform occurring inrelation to occurrence of an event of the subject from theelectroencephalogram data of the subject from the measurement sectionwhen presenting the examination data, the measurement section comprisesan information input device provided with the electroencephalogram dataacquisition section, and the analysis section comprises an informationprocessing device that operates according to operation information inputfrom the information input device.
 28. An electroencephalogram dataanalysis system comprising: a measurement section that outputselectroencephalogram data of a subject; and an analysis section thatanalyzes the electroencephalogram data, wherein the measurement sectionincludes: an electroencephalogram data acquisition section for acquiringthe electroencephalogram data; and a communication section thatwirelessly transmits the electroencephalogram data acquired by theelectroencephalogram data acquisition section, the analysis sectionincludes: an electroencephalogram examination control section thatpresents to the subject examination data used for anelectroencephalogram measurement examination of the subject at a time ofexecuting an operation having a purpose different from that of theelectroencephalogram measurement; and an electroencephalogram analysissection that extracts and analyzes a potential waveform occurring inrelation to occurrence of an event of the subject from theelectroencephalogram data of the subject from the measurement sectionwhen presenting the examination data, the measurement section comprisesa remote controller provided with the electroencephalogram dataacquisition section, and the analysis section comprises an electronicdevice operates in accordance with operation information input from theremote controller.
 29. The electroencephalogram data analysis systemaccording to claim 26, wherein the examination data has first datarelated to the subject and second data different from the first data,and a frequency of presentation of the first data is different from thatof the second data.
 30. An electronic device that acquires and analyzeselectroencephalogram data of a subject, comprising: anelectroencephalogram examination control section that presents to thesubject examination data used for an electroencephalogram measurementexamination of the subject at a time of executing an operation having apurpose different from that of an electroencephalogram measurement; anelectroencephalogram analysis section that extracts and analyzes apotential waveform occurring in relation to occurrence of an event ofthe subject from the electroencephalogram data of the subject measuredwhen presenting the examination data; and a notification section thatnotifies a person concerned of the subject registered in advance of aresult of comparison when the result of comparison of theelectroencephalogram analysis section satisfies a predeterminednotification criterion.
 31. An electronic device that acquires andanalyzes electroencephalogram data of a subject, comprising: anelectroencephalogram examination control section that presents to thesubject examination data used for an electroencephalogram measurementexamination of the subject at a time of executing an operation having apurpose different from that of an electroencephalogram measurement; anelectroencephalogram analysis section that extracts and analyzes apotential waveform occurring in relation to occurrence of an event ofthe subject from the electroencephalogram data of the subject measuredwhen presenting the examination data; and a priority sensory analysissection that extracts a predicate included in at least one of utterancecontents and outgoing mails which are performed by the subject in thepast, calculates a frequency of use of visual expressions and afrequency of use of auditory expressions indicated in the predicate,determines the use of a visual stimulus as a type of stimulus of theexamination data to be presented to the subject when the frequency ofuse of the visual expressions is more, and determines the use of anauditory stimulus as the type of stimulus of the examination data to bepresented to the subject when the frequency of use of the auditoryexpressions is more.
 32. The electronic device according to claim 30,wherein the examination data has first data related to the subject andsecond data different from the first data, and a frequency ofpresentation of the first data is different from that of the seconddata.